Brewery Owner Fights License Revocation After Controversial Promotion

The owner of Minocqua Brewing Company in Wisconsin is determined to contest the state’s decision to revoke the brewery’s operating licenses at its two locations. Kirk Bangstad has stated that he will fight “tooth and nail” against the revocation by the Department of Revenue.

Bangstad’s brewery has attracted attention for various anti-Trump statements, notably a promotion offering free beer each time President Donald Trump dies. In a recent Substack post, he emphasized, “As you can imagine, I am not sitting on this. We’re going to fight Wisconsin tooth and nail.” He expressed commitment to continue serving the “thirsty progressives” who frequent his establishment.

The push for legal support has led Bangstad to request donations for the brewery’s legal defense fund, explaining that maintaining a business often requires covering hefty legal fees. “I had raised $100,000 in legal fees before I even met with the judge,” he noted, stressing the financial burden of such battles.

The revocation of the beer licenses for the Madison and Minocqua locations is set to take effect on August 4. A representative from the Department of Revenue confirmed that the brewery has the option to appeal the decision and can remain operational during the process. If an appeal is pursued, it would be directed to the Secretary of Revenue for further review.

While Bangstad did not directly comment on the recent report surrounding the revocation, he has previously made light of both Trump’s and Mitch McConnell’s demise, further polarizing opinions about his business.