Beef and Guinness Stew | Umami

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• 2 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or more to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 onions, coarsely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.9 ounce) can dark beer (such as Guinness)
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 3 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 2 ½ cups chicken stock, or as needed to cover
• 4 cups mashed potatoes (Optional)