Chicago City Wire

Rogers Park Provisions is stocking its shelves with a range of politically-themed beers from Minocqua Brewing Company, including an "Antifa beer" that pays tribute to the extremist group currently linked to several violent incidents across the U.S. 

The liquor store, located at 6928 N. Glenwood Ave in Chicago, announced mid-September that it had restocked a selection of beers from Minocqua Brewing Company, highlighting the political nature of the products, which also feature images of prominent Democratic figures like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on its labels. 

The store posted a photo of the beer brand’s goods on InstaGram.

“Just a little #restock of your favorites this past week! More to come!!” The post by Rogers Park Provisions read. 

The Wisconsin-based beer company, which bills itself as makers of "Progressive Beer," said on its website that sales proceeds will go to a SuperPAC called “Dark Money Meant for Good” to work against GOP officials at state and federal levels. 

The decision to stock these items has sparked debate, especially as Antifa continues to be linked to political violence and unrest in various parts of the country. 

A description for Antifa Oktoberfist on the brewing company's website reads, in part: 

"Is it ok to punch a Nazi? According to Captain America in the 40s, it was. [...] Over the last 70 years, we’ve honored our American forefathers who vanquished fascism in Germany. Those heroes were antifascists, or for short, “antifa.”

Unfortunately, fascism has once again reared its ugly head - not in Germany, but here at home, within America’s borders. That’s why we made Antifa OktoberFIST:  a German-style Festbier that is uniquely American.

Of course it’s not OK to punch anyone, but it’s patriotic as hell to raise your fist against fascism, reject its four tenets, and embrace the true American ideals of democracy, freedom, justice, and equality of opportunity."

Antifa has been called a “terrorist organization” by many, including former President Donald Trump and U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) both of whom sought an official designation for the group. 

“When an organization targets the home of a sitting U.S. Senator, burns down cities across the country, and murders Americans because of their political beliefs, it would normally be designated a terrorist organization. Instead, Democrats like Kamala Harris fundraise to bail them out of prison. ANTIFA, and the Democrats who support it, are enemies of the American people,” Boebert said in a statement in 2021. 

Members of the group, whose name is short for “antifascists,” have been harnessed by powerful leftist interests, such as billionaire George Soros, to create havoc on college campuses with a resurgence of radical activism—as of late with pro-Hamas demonstrations—echoing the violent tactics seen during Antifa protests in previous years. 

For some, the Harris branded beer juxtaposed with an Antifa beer can seems to make sense. 

“The Democrats have nominated a woman who donated to a bail fund to get rioters out of jail during the demonstrations after the George Floyd incident. They also nominated a man for Vice President who let Minneapolis burn,” State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) said during the Democratic National Convention.

Harris promoted the Minnesota Freedom Fund during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The fund raised $35 million following Harris’s endorsement, helped free individuals convicted of severe crimes, including murder and sexual assault.

The group continues to be linked to political violence, as is the case in Florida, where Attorney General Ashley Moody announced criminal and civil charges against Antifa members for attacking three pregnancy resource centers, which serve as alternatives to abortion clinics. 

Antifa was also out in force during Chicago’s hosting of the Democratic National Convention in August where members were caught on video burning American flags and roughing up a bystander trying to grab a flag away before it went up in flames. 

In August, Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, an Alabama man, pleaded guilty to detonating a homemade explosive device filled with nails outside the Alabama State Attorney General’s office. 

Calvert, who faces up to 20 years in prison, had also placed Antifa stickers near the explosion site.

Another Antifa member was sentenced in Oregon in recent weeks after being found guilty of attacking a peaceful demonstration in Clackamas, Ore. 

Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West wrote a column for Tablet Magazine after that trial. 

“Local media barely covered the political violence at that event. Poor and at times deliberately misleading press coverage obfuscated the degree of horrific and dangerous brawling instigated by antifa in a public park, making it hard for both local residents and officials to understand what had happened,” West wrote. 

The owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, Bangstad, himself was the subject of an arrest warrant request earlier this year following a defamation case leading to a hefty $750,000 judgment against him involving Lakeland Times Publisher Gregg Walker. 

The request came after Bangstad was found guilty of making false claims about a 1987 hunting accident in which Walker's brother was fatally injured.

The beer line hasn’t gone unnoticed by independent journalist Andy Ngo, who regularly covers Antifa violence. 

“A new line of white dudes for Harris beer products featuring Antifa, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and Joe Biden is available in Wisconsin. The political beers are meant to promote voter turnout for Democrats,” Ngo said on X.  

Notably, Ngo was awarded $300,000 in damages after a Portland court ruled against three individuals involved in a 2019 assault during a protest that turned violent with Antifa members dousing opposing protestors with a milkshake-like concoction that was said contain cement. Ngo suffered a brain bleed as a result of the assault. 

Ngo described the ruling as a small vindication following a traumatic experience, emphasizing that his fight for justice was also for others victimized by political violence.