The owner of Minocqua Brewing Co. has announced that the company's Madison taproom in Wisconsin is likely to shut down by the end of the year due to the revocation of its alcohol permits by the state.
According to Kirk Bangstad, the company's owner, the revocation of the permits is a result of alleged violations involving beer transported from Illinois without the required permits and tax payments. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has stated that the company's brewing permits for both its Minocqua and Madison locations were revoked due to these alleged infractions.
The company has disputed the state's action, accusing officials of targeting it because of its political views. Bangstad's breweries have gained attention for their outspoken messaging against President Donald Trump, including a 2020 post on Facebook that offered free beer to patrons if Trump were to die.
The company has a hearing scheduled for November 18 to appeal the revocation of its permits, but the DOR has stated that the revocation does not take effect until the appeals process is complete. The department has maintained that its actions are dedicated to fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverage regulations in Wisconsin.
The shutdown of the Madison taproom would be a significant blow to the company, which has been a vocal critic of Trump's policies. The company's political stance has been reflected in its marketing efforts, including offering half-price beer when Sen. Mitch McConnell dies.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
View original reporting →
