3 lb Chuck roast 1 Smoked ham hock -(optional) half c Oil 2.5 ts Salt 1 lg Onion -thinly sliced 3 tb Flour Beer 1 c Beef broth half ts Black pepper 2 ts Sugar 2 tb Parsley flakes 1 pn Marjoram 1 pn Thyme 1 Cl Garlic -chopped fine 4 Carrots -cut into 3 cm pieces 0.75 c Walnuts -(optional) 2 tb Red wine vinegar -or red win 2 tb Scotch whiskey