The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has issued notice that it intends to revoke the brewer’s permit for Minocqua Brewing Co., a left-wing brewery that gained national attention for pledging free beer the day President Trump dies.
Owner Kirk Bangstad said in a Substack post that he received notice two weeks ago that the state planned to revoke his brewer’s permit effective Aug. 4. Wisconsin Public Radio reported the Department of Revenue confirmed it issued revocation notices for the company’s Minocqua and Madison locations, along with an alcohol beverage warehouse permit for one site. The department told the outlet Mr. Bangstad has until Aug. 4 to appeal and can continue operating during that process.
Mr. Bangstad said the alleged violations stemmed largely from the brewery’s contract with an Illinois brewing partner, which he entered after Wisconsin barred the company from shipping beer directly to out-of-state customers. He said state investigators cited unauthorized retail sales, shipping law violations and untaxed beer stored in an unpermitted warehouse, and claimed the total value of the disputed violations amounted to less than $500 in unpaid taxes.
The Department of Revenue said its alcohol enforcement division is focused on fair and consistent enforcement of state law and takes action when violations are found, according to Wisconsin Public Radio’s reporting.
Mr. Bangstad, who was denied ballot access earlier this year in a bid for the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor, has framed the revocation as political retaliation for his activism. Minocqua Brewing Co. sells products including “Antifa Oktoberfist” and “Abolish ICE Grapefruit Gose,” along with T-shirts bearing messages hostile to Mr. Trump and the Department of Revenue.
The company’s pledge to give away free beer if Mr. Trump dies drew renewed attention in April, when reports following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner noted a company social media post that referenced the attack while reiterating the offer.
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