A Wisconsin brewery known for its outspoken political messaging says its Madison taproom will likely close by the end of the year after state regulators revoked its alcohol permits. Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Co., said the business is fighting the decision but expects the Madison location to shut down as the appeal proceeds.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue revoked brewing permits for the company's Minocqua and Madison locations. The department alleged violations involving beer transported from Illinois without the required permits and tax payments. The revocation does not take effect until the appeals process is complete, and a hearing on the company's appeal is scheduled for Nov. 18.
In a statement, the department said it is dedicated to fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverage regulations in Wisconsin and takes action when the laws are not followed, as occurred here. The brewery has disputed the state's findings and accused officials of targeting it because of its political views.
The case has drawn attention in part because of the brewery's history of provocative posts aimed at prominent political figures. Minocqua Brewing Co. previously offered free beer if President Donald Trump dies, a promise it promoted on social media without always naming him directly. In one Facebook post, the company wrote, «Free beer, all day long the day he dies,» and later clarified that the offer would apply to the Madison taproom if the event occurred during the summer and the Minocqua taproom otherwise.
After an April shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner where Trump was present, the brewery wrote on Facebook, «Well, we almost got #freebeerday.» The company also offered half-price beer when Sen. Mitch McConnell dies, saying in an Instagram post that it would start serving beer at half price when his «Faustian dance has finally ended.» McConnell, who is 84, was absent from the Senate for months after being hospitalized for a fall at his home earlier this year and returned last week ahead of key votes.
Bangstad is also the founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC, which according to the brewery's website aims to remove Republican federal and state elected officials who perpetuated election lies that caused the Insurrection of January 6, 2021, and whose downplaying of the seriousness of COVID-19 caused so many unnecessary deaths in our country.
Reached for comment, the brewery made disparaging remarks about Trump and again noted that it will host a «#freebeerday» when the president passes, adding a reminder that no red hats are allowed. The dispute now rests with the state's appeals process, with the Nov. 18 hearing set to determine whether the revocation stands. For now, the Madison taproom's future remains uncertain as the brewery continues to challenge the state's action.