Permits Yanked After Border Beer Moves

group toasting with beer glasses in a pub — Photo: View Apart / Shutterstock

Wisconsin revenue officials moved to yank permits from a brewery that mocked President Trump’s life, after finding beer crossed state lines without required permits or taxes.

Story Snapshot

State moved to revoke two brewer permits and a warehouse permit tied to Minocqua Brewing.
Officials allege beer came from Illinois without proper permits or tax payments; canned beer was seized in June.
The Department of Revenue says this is routine enforcement, not politics; an appeal is scheduled.
The owner says the violations are minor and blames politics while warning his Madison taproom may close.

State Cites Cross-Border Beer Shipments And Tax Noncompliance

Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue confirmed actions to revoke brewer permits for the company’s Minocqua and Madison locations and an alcohol warehouse permit at one site. Reports say the case centers on beer shipped in from Illinois without the required Wisconsin permits or tax payments. In June, officials seized canned beer linked to the alleged violations, which shows an active investigation, not a dispute on paper alone. The owner has denied serious wrongdoing and plans to fight the move.

The department framed the case as standard alcohol and tax enforcement. A spokesperson said the agency applies the law fairly and takes action when rules are not followed. That stance tracks with Wisconsin guidance that poor filing records and unpaid excise taxes put permits at risk. State publications warn that permittees must file on time and stay current or face revocation. Those rules protect tax collection and ensure products move legally through the system.

Appeal Timeline And What Comes Next For The Taprooms

Coverage says the business received revocation notices with a right to appeal and a clear deadline. Outlets report the company could operate during the appeal window, with a hearing set for November 18. The owner, Kirk Bangstad, has told supporters he will fight “tooth and nail” and shared screenshots of the state’s notice. He also warned that the Madison taproom could be forced to close if the action holds, making the case a live issue for employees and customers.

The appeal will test the evidence behind each alleged violation. Public reporting lists several claims together: unpermitted shipments, tax issues, retail sales questions, and a warehouse problem. But the exact statute list and final findings are not yet public in full. That means the record seen by readers comes from spokesperson quotes and news summaries, not the entire enforcement file or hearing transcript. The case outcome will turn on documents and sworn testimony, not online posts.

Owner’s Defense Versus The Enforcement Record

Bangstad argues the dispute stems from an Illinois contract-brewing setup and calls the alleged violations minor. He claims the unpaid tax amount is under five hundred dollars and says he tried for months to resolve the issues before the notice arrived. He also links the action to politics, pointing to his progressive branding and past attacks on President Trump. The department’s public position rejects that view and ties the case to compliance alone, not ideology.

🚨UPDATE: A brewery in Wisconsin that repeatedly promoted “free beer” for the day President Trump dies says its Madison taproom is now on the verge of SHUTTING DOWN!!

Minocqua Brewing Company’s owner says the location “will likely close by the end of the year” as they continue… pic.twitter.com/krQr8ooMIT

— Bethany O’Leary 🇺🇸 🦅 (@BethanyForTruth) September 26, 2026

Facts on the ground show real enforcement steps, including seizure of canned beer and formal revocation notices. Those actions are consistent with how states police alcohol movement and excise taxes. The law gives regulators tools to suspend or terminate permits when products cross borders without the right paperwork and when taxes are not paid. That is why shipments from out of state draw close review and why permit holders must keep clear records to avoid penalties.