Beer with a PIzza ? ...but PIzza Beer ?

Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois, is the oldest existing limestone roundhouse in the US.

It started life as the site for a major car building and repair shop by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Originally, twenty-two stalls were built to house and repair locomotives. Eight additional stalls were added in 1859, and in 1864, the final ten stalls were added to the Roundhouse, making it a complete circle. (Rest of the history for railroad buffs here)

In 1995, the Aurora City Council voted 10-0 to permit Walter Payton, NFL Hall of Famer, and legendary running back for the Chicago Bears (he died in 1999) and his partners Scott Ascher, Pam Ascher and Mark Alberts to redevelop the Roundhouse into a 70,000 sq.ft. entertainment facility in Aurora housing a restaurant and brewpub, 14 bars, and a comedy club.

For the next few weeks this bustling hostelry is going to be offering it's thirsty and hungry customers - pizza beer - a barley-based brew flavored with ....er ..... tomato, basil, oregano and garlic.

Mamma Mia's Pizza Beer was developed by amateur home brewer Tom Seefurth of St. Charles. "The French are always famous for pairing their wine with food, and I wanted to create a beer that's good with food," Seefurth says. "And what's America's favorite food? Pizza."

Walter Payton's agreed to make 24 kegs of pizza beer in a 930-gallon vat, using canned tomatoes, spices and red beets for color.

This isn't the first time Walter Payton's has opted to turn a home-brew recipe into a large-scale beer run, or added off-beat items to their beer. They've made up batches of chocolate beer and a cherry-flavored beer with hot black granite rocks added to it, among others. But this is the first time they've added real food to a beer.

Thursday sounds like a fun night in the Cognac Bar....but count me out on Mamma Mia's Pizza beer.

If you are in Chicago .. don't miss Shaws Crab House simply the best seafood in the world....those oysters...mmmmm