Wisconsin brewery that promised free beer the day Trump dies now faces license revocation

Minocqua Brewing Faces License Revocation After Trump Death Beer Pledge

Theindiapostdaily.com – A Wisconsin brewery that promised free beer to patrons when President Donald Trump passes away now confronts potential license revocation. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue intends to cancel Minocqua Brewing Company’s alcohol permit by August 4, 2025. This decision follows a newsletter published on Sunday, July 26, by owner Kirk Bangstad announcing the state’s plans.

Legal Challenge and Financial Appeal

Bangstad, who characterizes his establishment as “the state’s most progressive brewery,” announced intentions to contest the ruling through legal channels. He simultaneously requested community assistance to finance the upcoming court proceedings. In a Substack publication, the brewery owner revealed receipt of a July 15 notification regarding the proposed license cancellation.

“As you can imagine, I’m not taking this lying down,” Bangstad declared. “We’re going to fight the state of Wisconsin tooth and nail, and once again, they’ll have to pry me out of my taprooms before I stop selling beer to thirsty progressives who come to visit us.”

The owner highlighted that prior legal disputes consumed approximately $100,000 before reaching judicial resolution. “Fighting to keep my business alive means I have to pay lawyers, and that’s never cheap,” Bangstad explained while encouraging readers to donate to the brewery’s legal defense fund.

Regulatory Violations and Political Context

According to Bangstad, the Department of Revenue’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages referenced several regulatory infractions as justification for permit cancellation. The brewery owner maintained that these alleged violations remained minor and insufficient to warrant business closure. Minocqua Brewing operates two taproom locations—one in Minocqua and another in Madison—with customers having until August 4 to file an appeal.

Bangstad proposed that the enforcement action might carry political motivations, suggesting his vocal political stance rendered his establishment a target. “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.

State authorities have not explicitly connected the proposed revocation to the brewery’s political activities. The controversy originated from a January social media message that appeared to guarantee complimentary beverages on the day President Trump dies. The original post stated: “Free beer, all day long the day he dies. Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise.”

The establishment subsequently clarified that the offer would remain valid at its Madison location throughout the year and at the Minocqua venue during summer months. After reports of gunfire during Trump’s attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, the brewery’s Facebook page added: “Well, we almost got #freebeerday.”

While these social media messages attracted considerable online criticism, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue has not indicated they influenced the license revocation decision. Should the appeal fail, Minocqua Brewing Company stands to lose its authorization to sell alcoholic beverages starting August 4.