License Revoked! What Goes Around Comes Around for Brewery Offering Free Beer When Trump Die

Sometimes life has a way of delivering irony that no one could script. Whether people call it karma, poetic justice, or simply bad timing, events occasionally unfold in ways that leave observers shaking their heads.

That appears to be the case for Wisconsin’s Minocqua Brewing Company, a brewery that built a national reputation through its outspoken political activism and repeated attacks on President Donald Trump. The company made headlines earlier this year by promising to give away free beer when Trump dies. Now, just months later, the brewery itself is facing the loss of its ability to legally sell beer.

There is no evidence that President Trump had anything to do with the state’s actions. Wisconsin officials say the permit revocation is based on alleged violations of alcohol laws. Still, given the brewery’s long history of mocking Trump, it is difficult not to imagine that the president is quietly enjoying the irony.

The Brewery Behind the Controversy

Minocqua Brewing Company, owned by progressive activist Kirk Bangstad, describes itself as “the state’s most progressive brewery.” The company has blended beer sales with political activism for years, selling beers with politically themed names and using its social media platforms to criticize Trump and Republicans.

Earlier this year, the brewery attracted widespread attention after posting a promise that read:

“Free beer, all day long the day he dies.”

The post continued:

“Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise.”

When followers questioned which location would honor the offer, the brewery later clarified:

“We meant the Madison Taproom because that’s open all year, if he dies in the summer, then it’s gonna be the Minocqua Taproom.”

One exchange became even more controversial after someone asked whether the timeline for the offer could be moved up. The brewery replied:

“Well that’s up to you and your ability to act like a cia [sic] agent.”

Although Trump was never explicitly named in those posts, the meaning was widely understood.

A Second Controversial Post

The controversy intensified after the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, where authorities said an armed individual attempted to force his way through a security checkpoint while President Trump and members of his Cabinet were gathering.

Following that incident, the brewery posted another message that drew national attention.

“Well, we almost got #freebeerday.”

The post continued:

“Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle.”

It concluded with another reference to the earlier promotion.

“We’ll never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.”

Those comments prompted FBI agents to interview Bangstad and his attorney. According to reports, both told investigators they neither planned nor wished harm to President Trump or Vice President JD Vance and did not support organizations advocating political violence.

The State Pulls the Permit

Now the brewery faces a far more immediate problem.

Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue confirmed it has issued notices revoking the brewer’s permits for two Minocqua Brewing Company locations, along with an Alcohol Beverage Warehouse permit for one company location. Unless successfully appealed, the revocations are scheduled to take effect on Aug. 4.

According to state officials, the action follows a June enforcement operation during which authorities seized canned beer after alleging it had been transported into Wisconsin from Illinois without the required permits and taxes.

The Wisconsin Division of Alcohol Beverages defended its actions, stating:

“The Wisconsin Division of Alcohol Beverages is dedicated to the fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverages regulations in Wisconsin.”

The agency added:

“The division is required to follow and implement state law, including ensuring permit holders and licensees follow all applicable laws and regulations.”

The Department of Revenue also confirmed that the brewery has until Aug. 4 to appeal the revocation and may continue operating while the appeal is pending.

Bangstad Vows to Fight

Bangstad has made clear he has no intention of surrendering quietly.

In a newsletter to supporters, he criticized Wisconsin officials, writing:

“Our state’s major league baseball team is called the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin practically invented the term ‘craft beer,’ yet Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue is trying to shut down the state’s most progressive brewery for violations that can only be described as laughable.”

He also pledged a prolonged legal battle.

“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.”

Bangstad also encouraged supporters to contribute to a legal defense fund, saying that every major legal fight quickly results in enormous legal expenses.

Meanwhile, the brewery has attempted to turn the controversy into a marketing opportunity.

In a Facebook post, it told supporters that merchandise featuring the phrase “I wish it was free beer day at Minocqua Brewing Company” had been selling “like hot cakes.”

The brewery also declared:

“As we’ve said all along, the more that flat-earth, vaccine-denying, Fauci-hating, Epstein-class apologists share the news that Wisconsin’s corrupt Department of Revenue is coming for us, the more beer and t-shirts we sell!”

It concluded with another defiant message:

“We can’t keep up, guys, and that’s a pretty great problem to have. And here’s some news for our fans: We ain’t going anywhere anytime soon!”

An Ironic Turn

Whether one views Minocqua Brewing Company as a political activist, a provocative marketer, or simply a business caught in a regulatory dispute, the timing is difficult to ignore.

A brewery that publicly celebrated the idea of serving free beer when President Trump dies is now fighting for its own survival. State officials insist the case is about licensing laws and alcohol regulations, not politics. There is no evidence President Trump played any role in the investigation or permit revocation.

Still, for many Americans, the sequence of events will feel like a classic example of the old saying that what goes around eventually comes around. While the legal battle may continue for months, one suspects that somewhere in the White House, President Trump is smiling at the irony.
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