Slow-Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

My family is still salivating over just the thought of this meal. They loved it that much! I don't often get as "into" food as they do, but this was TASTY. It'd be great exactly as printed, but I DID make a couple changes for our tastes. First, we don't do alcohol, so I used root beer (wondering if I'd be able to taste it--no!). Yes, I realize the alcohol usually cooks "off," but why spend that money and be left with extra beer to pour down the drain? Second, two potatoes just wasn't going to be enough for my husband and my two teenage sons. So I increased it to four. Wasn't sure how that would work, but it wasn't a problem at all. They were big, so I cut them in half and pushed them as far into the liquid as I could. The extra two didn't get covered, but they seemed to suffer none. The mashed potatoes made were delicious with the infusion of broth (that transferred with them into the side bowl). All-around fabulous recipe. First one good enough for me to review!

What can you use in place of the beer? Beef broth? I'm gluten intolerant, and there's no such thing as a good dark gluten-removed beer.

Browned and braised in dutch oven and baked for a couple hours at 300 degrees instead of using crock pot. Very good.....and even better the next day. I added more peas and carrots and 2+# of meat. Needed little extra beer to cover the potatoes. Will make again for sure. Delicious.