Irish Beef Guiness Stew - Le-Thermique

Ingredients

• 1.25 kg beef chuck, boneless
• ¾ tsp each salt & black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 onions, chopped
• 180 g bacon, speck, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2cm
• 2 large celery stalks, cut into 2cm
• 3 tbsp all-purpose-flour * option for thicker sauce
• 440 ml Guinness Beer (Note 1)
• 4 tbsp tomato paste
• 750 ml chicken stock/broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 sprigs thyme