Phil, Yes, it was very tasty. I have been pouring the braising liquid on toast for a delightful snack now that the meat is gone. I would cook it next time using a thermometer as this one came out a little over cooked and dry. The pinch of sugar was simply to improve browning of the onions. It can easily be removed.
The beer is a little more difficult to substitute. It adds the sweet/bitter component of the meat. You could try replacing it with a few shakes of Angostura bitters and water. Cook the onions down a bit more to replace the sweetness lost from the missing ale. (Angostura bitters are gluten free; however the alcohol used in it is fermented molasses.)