Brewery’s sick joke: half-price beer if Mitch McConnell dies
A Wisconsin brewery has sparked outrage by offering half-price beer on the day Senator Mitch McConnell dies, mocking the ailing Kentucky Republican’s prolonged absence from Congress. The stunt, posted on Instagram by Minocqua Brewing Company, has drawn fierce condemnation and raised questions about the coarsening of American political discourse.
What did the brewery offer?
In a July post, the brewery wrote: ‘Given that Mitch McConnell is responsible for AT LEAST 50% of what’s currently wrong with America, we’ve decided to give 50% off of all of our beer at both taprooms in Minocqua and Madison the day he kicks the bucket – which in all honesty was probably three weeks ago.’ McConnell was hospitalised in June, and little information about his condition has emerged since.
Why is this causing such a backlash?
The brewery, known for its progressive stances and previous offer of free beer if President Trump dies, has been deluged with negative comments. One Instagram user wrote: ‘Even if this was Biden this is gross. To think…a brewery only known for running tasteless ads vs actually having good beer.’ Another sent a direct message: ‘I pray that you obtain more wisdom, love and compassion.’ The brewery reposted that with a sneering reply: ‘We pray you obtain more self awareness, humility, and a better knowledge of world history.’
What about the political angle?
Minocqua also attacked Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, for not calling a special election to replace the ‘ghost from Kentucky’. Beshear’s office pointed to a statement on X where he demanded McConnell address the public directly about his health or resign. Beshear wrote: ‘I know there are a lot of folks wondering about the significance of August 3 regarding a potential Senate vacancy. I want everyone to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year.’
Is the brewery facing consequences?
Yes. Minocqua owner Kirk Bangstad wrote in July that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is seeking to revoke its alcohol permit by August 4. In a Substack post, he claimed the state is trying to ‘make an example’ out of Wisconsin’s ‘most progressive brewery for violations that can only be described as laughable.’ He has vowed to fight the agency ‘tooth and nail’. The brewery can continue operating during an appeal. State officials also seized all canned beer from the company in June, arguing it was illegally imported from Illinois without proper permits. The brewery insists it has legally contracted with an Illinois company to produce some of its beer.
What about the assassination post?
FBI and Secret Service agents interviewed Bangstad in April after his company’s Facebook account shared a post suggesting someone should assassinate the president after an armed intruder breached the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The post read: ‘Well, we almost got #freebeerday. Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle.’
What does this say about American politics?
This episode reflects a deeply troubling trend: the normalisation of celebrating death for political gain. For a brewery to profit from such crass partisanship, and for the state to be dragged into a fight over beer permits, is a sad commentary on the degradation of public life. British readers, accustomed to a more restrained political culture, may well shudder at the spectacle.