A timeline of how the Minocqua Brewing Company uses its PAC to support Democratic causes

After purchasing Minocqua Brewing Co., owner Kirk Bangstad created a political action committee using the business to support Democratic politicians and causes.

The following timeline outlines the company's political involvement, including the recent libel judgement against it, which is the largest ever in Wisconsin. Here's what you need to know.

2016: Owners purchase Minocqua Brewing Company

Kirk Bangstad and his late wife purchased the business in early 2016 from Dan and Laurie White, who ran it for over 10 years.

Located at 329 Front St. in Minocqua, the 1929 building was renovated from a school, library and then church before it was made into a restaurant and brewery in the early 2000s.

2020: Minocqua Brewing launches "Progressive Beer"

Bangstad started selling "Progressive Beer" with names like "Bernie Brew" and "Fair Maps."

He also hung a large Joe Biden sign on the side of the brewery. Oneida County officials wanted him to take it down because the sign appeared to be larger than the county ordinance allowed.

2020: Minocqua Brewing owners runs for Wisconsin State Assembly

Bangstad ran as a Democrat for Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 34 in 2020. He lost in the general election to incumbent Rob Swearingen.

RELATED: Giant Biden campaign signs ignites controversy for Minocqua Brewing Company owner

Jan. 4, 2021: Minocqua Brewing owner creates Super Pac

The Minocqua Brewing Company launched the Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC on January 4, 2021.

Bangstad created the Super PAC in response to the Sen. Ron Johnson and Congressman Tom Tiffany voting against a coronavirus relief package that would have provided financial relief to bars and restaurants.

Oct. 5, 2021: Minocqua Brewing Super PAC funds Waukesha School District lawsuit

The lawsuit funded by Bangstad's Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC argued for a class-action status and sought a court order requiring the district comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines.

According to the lawsuit, the Waukesha School Board removed its mask requirements and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

In March 2022, the plaintiff filed a motion to dismiss the case.

March 2022: Minocqua Brewing funds lawsuit alleging three Wisconsin Republicans conspired to keep Biden from the presidency

The brewery's super PAC funded a lawsuit alleging three Wisconsin Republicans conspired to keep Biden from becoming president.

The lawsuit accused U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Reps. Scott Fitzgerald and Tom Tiffany of spreading "malicious falsehoods about a 'rigged election' before Jan. 6, 2021."

Oct. 12, 2023: Minocqua Brewing PAC supports lawsuit against Wisconsin's school vouchers

Bangstad asked the state Supreme Court to eliminate funding for the state's four taxpayer-funded school voucher programs and independent charter schools, as well as lift state-imposed limits on the amount of funding public schools can receive without a referendum.

The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of seven Wisconsin parents and grandparents, asked the court to stop three state officials from continuing the choice programs: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly and Secretary of the Department of Administration Kathy Blumenfeld.

October 2023: Minocqua Brewing Co. owner is ordered to pay $750,000 in a libel judgment

Bangstad was ordered to pay $750,000 for defaming Lakeland Times publisher Gregg Walker in posts on the brewery's social media.

The 23-member jury found Bangstad had smeared Walker by calling him a "crook" and a "misogynist."

Bangstad also was found to have defamed Walker by claiming in a Facebook post that he had engaged in elder abuse of his father and may have let his 23-year-old brother bleed to death in a hunting accident so that he could inherit the newspaper business.

Under the jury verdict, Bangstad and his brewery are to pay $320,000 in compensatory damages, and Banstad is to pay $430,000 in punitive damages.

It is the largest libel judgement in Wisconsin to date.

JS reporters Daniel Bice, Rory Linnane and Jessie Opoien contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Minocqua Brewing Company Kirk Bangstad uses PAC to support Democrats