Draft beer

For the first time in living memory, it may be possible to order a beer pulled from a tap in Florence.- The city council approved a resolution Tuesday to introduce the bill in the Legislature. If approved -- and there appears to be no reason it wouldn't be -- draft beer sales would be legal upon the governor's-signature.

One of the Florence council members who sponsored the resolution, Sam Pendleton, described legalizing draft beer sales as a "tool" to make the city more attractive to restaurants.

Pendleton is correct. Removing the antiquated restriction on draft beer sales is a good business decision. Beer and liquor sales are already legal in Florence. Some restaurants specialize in offering a selection of imported and micro-brew beers on tap. There's no reason Florence shouldn't be open to that.

Alabama law is full of quirks and peculiarities, and the ban on the sale of draft beer is one of them. Cities and counties must have a bill introduced in the Legislature to lift the ban in their jurisdictions. According the state officials, 23 counties and cities have had the ban lifted.

Another peculiarity in state law is the prohibition on Sunday alcohol sales without a referendum -- even in cities and counties where it's legal every other day of the week. Sheffield council members are asking the Legislature to introduce a bill to set up a referendum for Sunday sales this year.

Sheffield needs this measure as part of its effort to revive its flagging fortunes. Florence voters approved Sunday sales about two years ago.

And while Sheffield officials are at it, they should include a provision to allow draft beer sales, too. The city is trying to gain an equal competitive footing with Florence; adding draft sales to the mix would give Sheffield that equal footing.

These are business decisions that should be viewed as what they are: attempts to strengthen the economies of our cities.