A Wisconsin brewery known for its outspoken anti-Trump activism says the state is trying to shut it down and its owner believes politics has everything to do with it.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has notified Minocqua Brewing Company that it plans to revoke several of its alcohol permits, a move that could force the business to stop selling beer unless it successfully appeals by August 4.
The brewery’s owner, Kirk Bangstad, isn’t backing down.
In a newsletter to supporters, Bangstad vowed to fight the state’s decision “tooth and nail,” accusing officials of targeting what he calls Wisconsin’s “most progressive brewery.”
“As you can imagine, I’m not taking this lying down,” Bangstad wrote. “They’ll have to pry me out of my taprooms before I stop selling beer to thirsty progressives who come to visit us.”
Bangstad has also launched a legal defense fund, saying he’ll need financial support to challenge the state’s decision in court.
“We need all the money we can get to sue the Department of Revenue and stay in business,” he told The Independent.
State officials, however, insist the case has nothing to do with politics.
In a statement, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue said it is simply enforcing state alcohol laws and confirmed that revocation notices had been issued for two brewery locations and one warehouse permit.
The agency said the brewery may continue operating while the appeal process plays out.
Bangstad isn’t buying that explanation.
He argues the alleged violations are minor and don’t come close to justifying shutting down a thriving business.
“Everyone reading this, Democrat or Republican, should recoil at the thought of a small and thriving business being destroyed by their state government over such small violations—especially a brewery in the state of Wisconsin!” he wrote.
The controversy comes months after the brewery drew national attention for a social media post promising free beer on the day Trump dies.
“Free beer, all day long the day he dies,” the January post declared, adding that customers should save the post to redeem the offer.
Although the message never explicitly mentioned Trump’s name, it was widely interpreted as referring to the president.
The brewery later clarified which location would honor the promotion depending on the time of year.
Then, after shots were fired while Trump was attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, the brewery posted another controversial message: “Well, we almost got #freebeerday.”
Bangstad has continued using the brewery’s social media accounts to criticize Trump and other prominent Republicans. In a recent post, he joked with Fox News Digital about offering half-price beer in honor of Sen. Mitch McConnell after news of the Kentucky Republican’s hospitalization.
Now, Bangstad says the real fight isn’t just about alcohol permits—it’s about whether a business owner can openly express political views without fearing retaliation from the government.
“Together, we’ll get to the bottom of who’s trying to put us out of business and silence our voice in Wisconsin,” he wrote, “one beer at a time.”
