Chicago bound? Track down pizza-flavored beer

"The greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
-- Dave Barry

Beer and pizza go together as naturally as, well, pizza and beer. That led a creative Illinois real estate broker to try combining the two tastes. And, he succeeded.

Tom Seefurth of Campton Hills, a Chicago suburb, has been a longtime home brewer. In his quest for the perfect pizza-flavored beer, he began adding tomatoes, oregano, garlic and basil to one batch. The result is something he calls Mamma Mia Pizza Beer.

Walter Payton's Roundhouse in nearby Aurora has agreed to serve the pizza beer as long as the supply lasts. No word on what happens when it's gone.

ON THE WEB

---

• Chicago-style pizza
• Chicago cuisine

Act quickly if you want to tour Guinness in Dublin

Take a guided your of Dublin and one of the first things to be pointed out is the historic Guinness Brewery at St. James Gate, where beer has been brewed for 250 years.

If you haven't taken the official interior tour or at least seen the complex yet, better move fast. International conglomerate Diageo, which owns Guinness, is considering closing the brewery, reports the Financial Times of London.

Diageo is engaged in an "assessment of its investment options for its brewing operations in Dublin, Dundalk and Kilkenny to enhance the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the business in Ireland," the article said, quoting the company.

David Gosnell, managing director of Diageo Global Supply, said, "Everything is on the table," including the possible closure of the historic brewery but added no final decision was likely before "well into 2008." The 56-acre Dublin site could be worth between $600 million and $700 million if sold.

ON THE WEB

---

• Doublin Tourism Central
• Dublin Tourism: Kids Go Free