Beer Cake-RPF

Im thinking I'd make it without the beer-- hmmm...
Chocolate Cherry Beer cake

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 ounces chocolate, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup cold beer

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped, reserve juice (should be about 2/3 cup)

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting:

2 tablespoons cocoa

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons Karo syrup

3 tablespoons beer

1 teaspoon vanilla

dash salt

2 cups powdered sugar

For cake:

Sift flour, soda, and salt together; set aside. In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy; add eggs, melted chocolate and vanilla. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with beer, buttermilk, and reserved cherry juice. Add cherries and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees in a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan for 35-40 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool cake completely.

For frosting:

Mix all ingredients together except powdered sugar, then add powdered sugar. Beat with electric mixer until smooth. Spread evenly over cake.