A Wisconsin brewery pub that offered free beers if Donald Trump dies is set to close at the end of the year, according to its owner. Kirk Bangstad, who owns Minocqua Brewing Co., believes closure is all but inevitable after state officials took away its alcohol license, although he says he will do all he can to fight it.
License revoked over beer transport claims
While Bangstad believes the decision is part of a targeted backlash to his many comments and stunts relating to his opposition of Donald Trump, which included the controversial offer of free drinks on the day he dies, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue has stated that the permit was revoked because the company had allegedly been transporting beer from Illinois without using the appropriate permits.
Bangstad and Minocqua fiercely dispute these claims. In a blog post, he accuses the officials of "continued harassment" and of being "corrupt". He writes: "Instead of working with us to come into their definition of compliance, like they’ve done with Wisconsin breweries, wineries, and distilleries over the last 20 years, they decided to make an example out of us and shut our doors."
Owner hopes for like-minded buyer
He says that if he is forced to close his doors, he hopes that another company with a similar world view will take over the space, especially considering how much time and money has gone into the design. The pub, which is known for its live music events, is currently due to shut in November.
He said: "The art we’ve put into our Madison taproom is beautiful, and it would break my heart to have to tear it down. Additionally, the music created in this economically-challenged neighbourhood on Madison’s East Side is truly precious. Folks from all over the region come to hear our unique offerings of live classical, jazz, Celtic, and folk music."
Other political stunts
Bangstad is well known for his controversial political stunts, many of which have made light of the health of high-profile Republican politicians. As well as offering free booze when Trump dies, he has also promised to halve the price of drinks when 84-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell passes away, about whom rumours about ill-health have previously circulated.
He wrote on Instagram: "When they announce that McConnell’s Faustian dance has finally ended, we’re gonna start serving our beer at ‘half price,’ because we promised #halfpricebeerday on the day they unplug the ventilator."
