The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is moving to revoke Minocqua Brewing Company’s brewing permit on Aug. 4, according to a letter sent to owner Kirk Bangstad.
Bangstad, the self-described progressive activist and failed 2026 Democratic gubernatorial candidate known for his politically charged beers and outspoken social media rhetoric celebrating a foiled assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, called the move an “absurd act of heavy-handedness.” He promised to fight back, saying, “They’ll have to pry me out of my taprooms before I stop selling beer to thirsty progressives who come to visit us.”
The revocation notice comes after agents seized about $25,000 worth of canned beer from the brewery’s Minocqua and Madison taprooms on June 11. The Department of Revenue said the beer was brewed under contract in Illinois and sold in Wisconsin without the required permits or payment of state excise taxes, which Bangstad estimated at around $500.
Bangstad has claimed he attempted to pay the taxes but was prevented by the agency during months of talks. The Department of Revenue called the case an “active law enforcement action” stemming from a 2025 complaint and ongoing compliance discussions.
In Facebook posts earlier this summer, Bangstad detailed the allegations from a Division of Alcohol Beverages special agent, arguing the violations were minor, totaled less than $500 in lost revenue, and stemmed from “false complaints made by MAGA trolls.” He accused the department of blocking avenues to compliance and suggested political targeting by Gov. Tony Evers and the Tavern League over his online sales model and criticism of the governor.
In late June, a Dane County Circuit Court judge denied Bangstad’s emergency request to recover the seized beer. In response, Bangstad released a new beer called “F the DOR,” which is only available in half-barrels at his taprooms.
Campaign Finance Lapse
Separately, Bangstad’s candidate committee for governor has failed to file a required campaign finance report that was due on July 15.
According to an email obtained by The Heartland Post, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission confirmed that Bangstad’s committee is still registered and lists him as a candidate in the Fall 2026 general election. The Ethics Commission administrator wrote, “The public information shows that he has an active committee that is not exempt. I do not see any filed reports in the system.”
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 11.0101(1), a person becomes a candidate by receiving contributions, making disbursements, or consenting to others doing so on their behalf — not solely by filing nomination papers. Bangstad’s committee was active for the 2026 cycle even after the Wisconsin Elections Commission rejected his nomination papers for insufficient valid signatures in early June, disqualifying him from the Democratic primary ballot.
Candidate committees were required to file July continuing reports, covering activity through June 30, by July 15. There is no report for Bangstad’s committee in the Ethics Commission’s system. The last campaign finance report Bangstad filed was in July 2024.
Pattern of Controversy
The permit action is the latest in a series of disputes between Bangstad and regulators, local officials, and critics. His Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC, which raised over $2 million since 2021, was sued by local newspaper publishers. They claimed he funneled nearly $460,000 through unregistered entities called Effervescent Blue and NCPS, both of which had no visible business presence, as personal consulting fees. Bangstad terminated the Super PAC in June.
Earlier this year, Bangstad received national attention and an FBI review after he posted “we almost got #freebeerday” following a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. This referred to his ongoing offer of free beer on the day President Trump dies. He later promoted a non-alcoholic beer called “8647,” which many saw as coded support for removing the 47th president. He also promised a half-price beer day if GOP Senator and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dies.
Bangstad has often described enforcement actions against him as political retaliation for his progressive activism and criticism of both Republicans and moderate Democrats. State officials, however, have said they are enforcing compliance with laws on alcohol production, taxation, and permitting.
The Department of Revenue’s letter says the permit revocation will take effect on Aug. 4. Bangstad has said he will keep operating and plans to challenge the decision in court.
