Sift together dry ingredients. Cream together shortening and sugar;add eggs. Mix fruit and nuts with 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture. Add flour mixture alternately with beer. Stir in fruit and nuts. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in tube pan and bake at 350F for 1 hour, or until cake tests done. Or pour into a greased and floured 9x13 in pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until cake tests done. ----