Wisconsin Brewery to Lose Alcohol Permit After Promising Free Beer on Day Trump Dies

A Wisconsin brewery that once promised free beer the day President Donald Trump dies is about to lose its alcohol permit. Minocqua Brewing Company, based in the conservative Northwoods region of the state, is set to have its license revoked on August 4 after state officials confirmed the move earlier this week.

Owner Kirk Bangstad, a progressive activist who also runs a liberal super PAC, has long used his business to push political messages. He sells beers themed around Democratic figures and merchandise with slogans like “Vive La Resistance” and “Impeach, Convict, Remove.” In January the brewery posted on Facebook that it would offer free beer all day long the day “he dies,” adding that customers should show the post when it happens so the promise could be kept.

The post never named Trump directly but was widely understood as referring to him. Bangstad later clarified the offer would apply at the Madison taproom year round or the Minocqua location in summer.

The current crackdown follows a June raid in which Wisconsin Department of Revenue agents seized canned beer from the company’s Minocqua and Madison locations. Officials said the beer had been brewed in Illinois and brought into Wisconsin without the required permits or payment of state excise taxes. Bangstad has called the violations “laughable” and insists the state is targeting him because of his outspoken progressive politics and criticism of Trump and Republicans. He noted that distributors and major grocery chains have already boycotted his products for the same reason.

In a Substack post Bangstad said he is not taking the action lying down. “We’re going to fight the state of Wisconsin tooth and nail,” he wrote, “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 Department of Revenue confirmed it has issued notices of revocation for the brewery’s permits at two locations and a warehouse permit at one, while noting the business can continue operating during the appeal process that runs through August 4.

Bangstad has faced earlier scrutiny as well. In April the FBI and Secret Service interviewed him after a social media post following a shooting incident near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The post joked that the brewery had “almost got #freebeerday” and questioned the marksmanship of whoever was involved. Authorities described the interview as voluntary and related to a tip they received. Bangstad has maintained he never intended harm to Trump or anyone else.

The brewery claims it generates more than $2 million a year in beer and merchandise sales and has one of the largest social media followings of any Wisconsin brewery. Bangstad argues that shutting it down over technical permitting issues is heavy handed and anti American. State officials, for their part, say they are simply enforcing alcohol regulations that apply to every permit holder.

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