Loree's Irish Stew with Beef

Step 1
Place bacon in a heavy Dutch oven or enameled cast iron pot. Fry over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and cut into bite-sized pieces when cool enough to handle. Leave bacon grease in the pot.

Step 2
Mix flour, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Toss beef in flour mixture to coat.

Step 3
Add 1 tablespoon oil to the bacon grease and heat over medium-high. Add 1/2 of the beef; cook and stir until brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a plate. Add second 1/2 of beef and repeat with remaining oil. Set beef aside.

Step 4
Saute onions and garlic in the pot with beef drippings, 5 to 7 minutes. Add beer, tomato sauce, carrots, celery, sugar, and thyme. Add beef and bacon, and enough beef broth to cover; bring to a boil.

Step 5
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until beef is tender, about 2 hours. Uncover, raise heat to medium-high, and boil to thicken, about 15 minutes.