It won’t be long before draft beer lovers will be able to fill their frosted mugs.

The Selma City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday night that will allow on premise sale of draft and keg beer.

“I see a plus here,” said Ward 3 Councilman Greg Bjelke. “The craft beer and brewing business is red hot now. They are super popular, and we want to get in on that too. I think it is going to be a great thing.”

The city passed a resolution last December to ask law makers to pursue legalizing the sale of draft beer in Selma, and the legislature passed it in May before the session came to a close.

The idea started with a group of people that were interested in bringing a microbrewery to downtown Selma.

“The ball really got rolling because of the group that was trying to get a brewery here,” said Allen Reeves, a strong supporter draft beer. “That will take one stumbling block away for having a brewery, and it will also allow restaurants and bars to have draft beer.”

The group wanted legislation to be passed allowing on premise and off premise sale, but the bill was only passed to allow on-premise sale.

“It wasn’t everything that they wanted, but it’s a start,” Bjelke said. “They’re getting a little closer. Both sides did a little give and take to get where we are.”

According to the ordinance, “draft and keg beer will be sold and dispensed in open containers for consumption on the premises where it is sold unless it is sold to a licensed wholesaler.”

The ordinance does not allow draft beer to be taken off premises unless it is sold to a licensed wholesaler or if the establishment is within the entertainment district, which allows alcohol to be consumed within its boundaries.

“We wanted more liberal draft beer laws, but we didn’t get the law passed by the state that we wanted, and the city couldn’t go any further than that,” Reeves said.

Now that the ordinance has been passed some restaurants are already in the process of getting the equipment needed to serve draft beer.

Tally-Ho owner Paul Wilkerson said the restaurant purchased a keg cooler several weeks ago, and they have been anxiously waiting to install it.

“It being passed just goes to show that if you have a group of people with a common interest to raise awareness about a particular interest or deal, it can get done,” Wilkerson said.

While the investment to serve draft beer is costly, Wilkerson said it will be well worth it.

“It is a great opportunity for us to be able to have better price margin and be able to offer a better price to the customers and variety,” Wilkerson said. “Talking with the beer companies, so far we’re the only one that is going to have it, but hopefully other people will follow suit.”

Wilkerson said he expects to have draft beer sales at Tally-Ho sometime next week. The restaurant has also planned a “Free the Taps” party for August 27 at 5 p.m. to celebrate draft beer sales.

While restaurants will be able to benefit from draft beer, Selma City Council President Corey Bowie thinks downtown Selma will be able to as well.

“I think it will be an asset with some of the events we have in the entertainment district,” Bowie said. “We’re going to have a lot more festivals. You can look for the entertainment district to be live and running.”