Clam It Up Chowder

Name: Clam-It-Up Chowder
Ingredients: 2 (6 1/2 ounce) cans minced clams; 4 ounces bottled clam juice (half a bottle); 2 cups finely diced potatoes; 1 cup finely diced onion; 1 cup finely diced celery; 2 tablespoons bacon fat; 1⁄2 cup butter; 2⁄3 cup flour; 1 quart half-and-half; 1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt; 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar; 1⁄4 teaspoon white pepper