2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. butter
2 eggs
2 c. chopped dates
1 c. chopped nuts
3 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
2 c. beer (not stale or flat)
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream sugar and butter until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in dates and nuts. Sift flour, soda, salt and spices together and add alternately with 1 cup of the beer. Add the final cup of beer - stirring until well mixed.

Pour into an ungreased angel food cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool slightly and invert pan (can add candied fruit instead of chopped dates or Half and Half).