Draft:Minocqua Brewing Company
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
Number of locations | 2 tap rooms (2024) |
Area served | United States of America |
Key people | Kirk Bangstad (owner) |
| Products | Beer, coffee, wine, soft drink |
| Website | minocquabrewingcompany |
Minocqua Brewing Company is a brewery in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The brewery was founded in 1997 inside a historic building on Lake Minocqua. In 2006, the brewery was expanded into a pub and restaurant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the original building was sold and a taproom was opened, still located in Minocqua.
The business was purchased by Kirk Bangstad in 2016. The business developed a progressive political position, hanging a large Joe Biden sign on the building in 2020. The brewery has been involved in controversy, including initiating a PAC and being both plaintiff and defendant in various legal matters.
Minocqua Brewing Company opened a taproom location in Madison, Wisconsin in 2024.
Beverage Products
[edit]Beer
[edit]Mincoqua Brewing's website self-identifies their beer offerings as "Progressive Beer", many bearing names referencing politicians and issues.
- Hope - Espresso stout, with Vice President Kamala Harris on the label
- Big Dad Energy - Lager, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on the label
- Antifa Oktoberfist - German-style festbier
- Tammy Shandy - Weiss beer, with Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin on the label
- Biden Beer - Kölsch-style ale, with President Joe Biden on the label
- Love Wins - fruited Sour ale, made in honor legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States
- Fair Maps 2.0 - India pale ale, referencing efforts to end gerrymandering in Wisconsin
- Labor Lager - Lager, a tribute to labor unions
- Home Away From Home - Hazy india pale ale, dedicated to Madison, Wisconsin
- Grateful Fred - Red ale, with Fred Melms, an attorney hired by the brewery, on the label
- Dark Brandon - Espresso stout, with an image of the namesake meme on the label
- Snowflake - Holiday ale, referencing the brewery's lawsuit with The Lakeland Times
- AOC IPA - India pale ale, with New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the label
- Evers Ale - Pale ale, with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on the label
- MAGA Tears - India pale ale, with an image of supporters of Donald Trump on the label
Wine
[edit]Minocqua Brewing provides Choice wines in partnership with Equity Vines. They offer Choice Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé of Pinot Noir.
Non-alcholic
[edit]- Woke - Coffee beans, roasted by Rusty Dog Coffee[1]
- NOPE - Lemon-lime sparkling water
- Rainbow Land - soda, available in orange or cherry flavor
Locations
[edit]Minocqua location
[edit]Minocqua Brewing was founded in 1997, inside a historic building on Lake Minocqua formerly used as Masonic Temple, church, school, and library.[2] The brewery offered both beer and food.[1] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the original building was sold. The brewery moved to an former gas station building, built in 1931, located at 329 Front Street.[3]
Zoning dispute in Minocqua
[edit]The Oneida County zoning committee revoked the operating license for Minocqua Brewing in 2023.[4] The county claimed the revocation was due to parking regulations and a plan to operate an outdoor beer garden at the brewery. Owner Kirk Bangstad argued that the company was being unfairly targeted and the violations were "a direct result of a complete, and I feel malicious, breakdown of due process intended to hurt my business.”[5] The brewery was granted a six-month extension, allowing it to remain open.
The county cited an "unenclosed dumpster" as another reason to shut down the brewery in July 2023, at the height of the busy tourism season. Minocqua Brewing responded with a federal lawsuit in August, presenting evidence of selective enforcement. Negations followed, and eventually the county issued a permit issued to allow the brewery to construct a beer garden. However, the county permit required and easement from the City of Minocqua. The city demanded that Minocqua Brewing drop their lawsuit to receive the easement, which Bangstad called "an illegal quid pro quo."[6]
Wisconsin's 3rd District Court of Appeals granted a temporary injunction against Oneida County in October 2024, preventing them from shutting down the brewery.[6]
Madison location
[edit]Minocqua Brewing Company opened a tap room location in Madison, Wisconsin in 2024. The location at 2927 E. Washington Avenue had previously been the storefront for Growlers to Go-Go. A small system purchased from One Barrel Brewing is used for brewing at the Madison location.[1]
Controversy involving The Lakeland Times
[edit]Gregg Walker, the owner of the The Lakeland Times of Minocqua, filed a lawsuit against owner Kirk Bangstad for defamation in 2021. The complaint cited Facebook posts calling Walker a "crook" and a "misogynist" and that the paper used a derogatory name for a person with cognitive delays. Bangstad responded that the suit was an attempt to silence an outspoken progressive.[7] The complaint was amended to include claims that Walker failed to aid his brother when he was injured in a hunting accident and that he had manipulated his father for personal gain. Bangstad was found guilty by a jury in October 2023 and fined $750,000.[8][4] In a Facebook post responding to the verdict, Bangstad wrote the judge “did everything in his power to hamstring my defense.”[4] The case was settled in October 2024 for a total of $580,000, the majority of which was paid for by insurance purchased by Bangstad.[9]
Bangstad was arrested in October 2024 for two counts of defamation, stemming from a Facebook post the previous August depicting Walker in a sexual manner.[10]
Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC
[edit]In 2021, Minocqua Brewing Company created a Super PAC, which it gives 5% of the company's profits.[9] The brewery's website states that the PAC “aims to remove Republican federal and state elected officials who perpetuated the election lies that caused the Insurrection of January 6, 2021, and whose downplaying of the seriousness of COVID-19 caused so many unnecessary deaths in our country.”[7] They sponsored billboards that promoted Democrats and attacked Republicans.
The PAC filed a lawsuits alleging that Wisconsin's school voucher program was unconstitutional.[8] Another lawsuit targeted school districts that dropped protective measures related to the Covid-19 pandemic.[9]
A GOP party official filed a complaint in 2021 claiming the donation of profits to the PAC and a large "Biden-Harris" banner on the brewery constituted illegal campaign activity. The lawsuit was dismissed in March 2022.[5]
During the 2024 election, the Brewery sponsored a tour to mobilize progressive voters. The tour visited 12 Wisconsin cities, with speeches from activists, education on grassroots organizing, and signing up outreach volunteers.[11]
Dispute with Ope Brewing Company
[edit]In August 2024, Minocqua Brewing announced they would be releasing a beer called "OPE: A lager with big dad energy". They were contacted by an attorney for Ope Brewing Company of West Allis, Wisconsin claiming the beer violated their trademark. A temporary restraining order was issued against Minocqu Brewing Company on August 30. The beer name and label was changed to "Big Dad Energy" and continued to be sold.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Shepard, Robin (2024-02-20). "Minocqua Brewing Company prepares to open Madison taproom". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "Minocqua Brewing Company". State Trunk Tour. 2020-04-09. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Draeger, Jim (2008). Fill 'er Up: The Glory Days of Wisconsin Gas Stations. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Historical Society. ISBN 9780870203930.
- ^ a b c Mentzer, Rob (2023-10-30). "Minocqua Brewing Company owner found at fault for defamation, fined $750K". WPR. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b Mentzer, Rob (2023-08-03). "Minocqua Brewing Company loses operating permit in zoning fight owner calls a political vendetta". WPR. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b Engst, Kodie (2024-07-25). "Minocqua Brewing Company: Celebrates victory in Wisconsin Court of Appeals | WisBusiness". Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b Journal, Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State (2021-06-11). "In man-bites-dog moment, northern Wisconsin newspaper sues politician for libel". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b Journal, Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State (2023-10-31). "Jury finds Minocqua brewery owner, Democratic activist defamed newspaper publisher". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b c Mentzer, Rob (2024-10-16). "Minocqua Brewing Company owner arrested on criminal defamation charges". WPR. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Force, Jake (2024-10-21). "Kirk Bangstad appears virtually in court for new defamation case". WJFW. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Carroll, Cat (2024-10-02). "Minocqua Brewing Company: "Hope Oktoberfist GOTV Extravaganza Tour" making a stop in Appleton | WisBusiness". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ Torres, Ricardo. "Ope! Brewing in West Allis says 'Nope!' to Minocqua Brewing's new beer and files lawsuit". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-10-25.