MINOCQUA, WISCONSIN — Wisconsin state officials seized all canned beer from Minocqua Brewing Co. and are investigating its owner, Kirk Bangstad. State officials allege that the seized beer was transported from Illinois without proper Wisconsin permits or tax payments.

Officials conducted an inspection of Bangstad's taprooms in Minocqua and Madison on June 11. Bangstad stated in a public post that officials seized approximately half of his beer inventory, and in a June 12 newsletter, he said the value of the seized beer was $25,000. Wisconsin state law prohibits selling beer brewed in Illinois within Wisconsin without a permit or license.

A Wisconsin Department of Revenue spokeswoman said, "Selling alcohol in Wisconsin comes with a unique set of rules and standards designed to protect consumers, promote public health, and track alcohol beverages for tax and safety purposes." The spokeswoman added, "These state laws ensure that no permit or license holder gains an unfair advantage by bypassing tax obligations or by evading safety protocols." The spokeswoman also stated, "Based on a complaint the division received last year, the department has been discussing concerns with the Minocqua Brewing Company and its legal counsel for several months toward reaching a path toward compliance."

Bangstad said, "Since my liquor lawyer has never seen this level of punishment being exacted on any of his other brewery clients before in his career, I can't help but wonder if there's someone directing these enforcement agents to come down on me extra hard as a way to \"teach me a lesson.\"" Bangstad's attorney plans to file a lawsuit against the administration of Governor Tony Evers. The attorney also plans to file an emergency injunction to return the seized beer to his taprooms.

A spokeswoman for Governor Tony Evers said, "The governor expects his cabinet agencies to follow and enforce state laws, and he expects the Department of Revenue to continue doing the job they're supposed to do." She added, "The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is responsible for ensuring permit and license holders comply with Wisconsin's state laws and regulations, regardless of who the actor is, where they are located, their background, or their political beliefs." The Department of Revenue spokeswoman confirmed, "The Division of Alcohol Beverages is dedicated to the fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverages regulations in Wisconsin."