After a months-long wait, Hutchinson’s beer connoisseurs will soon be able to raise a glass in their own brewery and taproom.

The Hutchinson City Council approved a liquor license for Bobbing Bobber Brewing Co. – at 900 State Highway 15, in the former West Central Industries and Coca-Cola bottling building – during its meeting Tuesday.

Now all that’s left to do before the brewery’s opening Wednesday, May 23, is to get the beer on tap and put the final touches on the interior so it’s ready for business.

“This has been a very long road,” Dan Hart, the owner of the brewery said at the meeting. “I think I stood in front of you 3 1/2 years ago asking you to get brewpub and brewery licenses into the mix. So we’ve been persistent, and we’re finally there … I’m glad we’re able to finally be at this state of asking for an on- and off-sale license, plus a Sunday liquor license. We’re hoping to be a big part of the community.”

When Hart first received the conditional-use permit from the city in September to turn the building into a brewery, he hoped to be open for business as early as February. While circumstances have pushed that opening date back nearly three months, the taproom, which planned to have seating for about 70 patrons, will soon be open to the public.