UMVA has learned that Wisconsin state agents, backed by local police, stormed the Minocqua Brewing Company taproom on Thursday, hauling away dozens of cases of beer.
Video captured by witnesses shows state revenue officers and police loading canned beer into state vehicles while squad cars line the curb, creating a scene of sudden, coordinated seizure.
The confiscated inventory consisted mainly of Illinois‑brewed cans that had been stored and sold in the Wisconsin taprooms without the required permits or payment of state excise taxes.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the brewery’s owner, political activist Kirk Bangstad, claimed the raid stripped him of roughly $25,000 worth of product—about half of his stock—and labeled the action “malicious harassment” over a disputed $500 tax issue.
Bangstad, who recently attempted a gubernatorial run and has a history of outspoken criticism toward the state’s Democratic leadership, vowed to sue the administration, suggesting the crackdown was politically motivated.
Oneida County officials confirmed the Department of Revenue was conducting an “active law‑enforcement action” after a complaint lodged last year, emphasizing that state alcohol laws exist to protect consumers, ensure public health, and secure tax revenue.
State representatives reiterated that any permit holder who bypasses tax obligations or safety protocols gains an unfair advantage, and they declined further comment as the investigation continues.
Bangstad’s legal counsel, unaccustomed to such severe enforcement against other brewery clients, expressed bewilderment, hinting that someone might be directing the agents to make an example of him.
Beyond the raid, Bangstad’s past political maneuvers have included provocative slogans and a notorious promise of “Free Beer Day” should a former president die, fueling further controversy around his brewing empire.
Now, the very product he vowed to give away for free has been seized, leaving the activist‑brewer to face both legal battles and the loss of his prized inventory.
