Minocqua Brewing Company has been notified by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue of planned revocation notices for two brewer's permits and one warehouse permit. The brewery's owner, Kirk Bangstad, says he will fight the decision and has launched a legal defense fundraising appeal. The action follows controversial social-media posts — including a January 22 message promising "free beer, all day long the day he dies" — that critics say targeted President Trump. The company can operate while it appeals and has until August 4 to challenge the revocations.
Wisconsin Brewery Faces Permit Revocation After Social Media Joke Promising Free Beer If Trump Dies
Brewery stripped of alcohol permit after promising free beer when Trump dies
Minocqua Brewing Company is facing proposed revocation of several alcohol permits after the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) cited alleged violations — a move the brewery's owner calls politically motivated. Owner Kirk Bangstad says he will fight the decision and has asked supporters to donate to a legal defense fund.
What the Department of Revenue Says
The DOR's Division of Alcoholic Beverages issued notices that include the planned revocation of two brewer's permits and one alcohol beverage warehouse permit for Minocqua Brewing Company. The agency confirmed the business has until August 4 to appeal and may continue operating during the appeal process. In a statement, the DOR emphasized it enforces state alcohol laws fairly and takes appropriate action when permit holders do not follow applicable regulations.
Minocqua Brewing Company has until August 4 to appeal its alcohol permit being revoked (Minocqua Brewing Company)
Owner Response and Legal Fight
Bangstad, who described Minocqua Brewing as "the state's most progressive brewery," said he received a letter dated July 15 and will contest the decision "tooth and nail." He listed the violations cited by the DOR and argued they are minor and do not justify shutting down locations in Madison and Minocqua. He has also solicited donations to a legal defense fund to cover the anticipated fight.
Kirk Bangstad: "We need all the money we can get to sue the Department of Revenue and stay in business. As you can imagine, I'm not taking this lying down."
How This Began: Social Media Posts
The controversy traces back to a January 22 social-media post in which the brewery wrote: "Free beer, all day long the day he dies." The post did not name anyone but was reported as referring to President Donald Trump and was later clarified to indicate which taproom would participate depending on timing. After a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April, while Trump was in attendance, the brewery posted a comment referencing "#freebeerday."
Donald Trump was at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April when a shooting broke out, but he was unharmed (Getty Images)
Bangstad later said he made a similar, joking reply to reporters offering half-off beers "in the name of Mitch McConnell," who had recently been hospitalized. Critics argue the posts were in poor taste; Bangstad says the DOR's actions amount to political retaliation for his outspoken views.
Next Steps and Context
The company has the right to appeal the DOR's notices by August 4 and can operate while that appeal is pending. The situation raises questions about enforcement consistency, the line between protected speech and regulatory violations, and how agencies respond to politically charged statements by business owners.
Timeline: January 22 — Controversial social post; April — shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner while Trump attended; July 15 — DOR letter to the brewery; August 4 — deadline to appeal.
Reporting sources cited in the original coverage include The Independent and Fox News Digital. The brewery's statements appear on its Substack and social channels.
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