Wisconsin brewery faces closure after state revokes alcohol permits

Minocqua Brewing Co. is likely to close its Madison, Wisconsin taproom by the end of the year after state officials revoked the company's alcohol permits, owner Kirk Bangstad said Monday. The decision follows allegations that the brewery violated regulations regarding beer transported from Illinois without the required permits and tax payments.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) revoked brewing permits for the company's Minocqua and Madison locations. The department told Fox News Digital in a statement on Thursday that a hearing on the company's appeal is scheduled for Nov. 18. The DOR stated that the revocation does not take effect until appeals are completed and added that it is dedicated to fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverage regulations in Wisconsin.

Minocqua Brewing Co. has drawn national attention for its outspoken political messaging against President Donald Trump. The company became known for offering free beer to patrons if the president died. On Jan. 22, the brewery posted on Facebook, "Free beer, all day long the day he dies," without explicitly using Trump's name. The post continued, "Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise." A subsequent update clarified that the offer applied to the Madison Taproom if the event occurred in summer, or the Minocqua Taproom otherwise.

Following the April shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which Trump attended, the brewery posted on Facebook that it nearly received its "#freebeerday." In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, the brewery made disparaging remarks about Trump and reiterated its promise to host a "#freebeerday" when the president passes, adding that no red hats would be allowed.

The brewery has also made similar pledges regarding other public figures. It offered half-price beer upon the death of Sen. Mitch McConnell. In an Instagram post, the brewery stated it would start serving beer at half price when officials announced that McConnell's "Faustian dance has finally ended." McConnell, an 84-year-old Kentucky Republican, had been absent from the Senate for months following a fall in his home but returned last week ahead of key votes.

Bangstad is also the founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC. According to the brewery's website, the SuperPAC aims to remove Republican federal and state elected officials who perpetuated election lies that caused the January 6, 2021, Insurrection and downplayed the seriousness of COVID-19. The brewery has disputed the state's permit revocation, accusing officials of targeting it because of its political views.