Pub-Style Steak and Ale Pie from America's Test Kitchen | GBH

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 3 pounds boneless beef short ribs, trimmed and cut into ¾-inch chunks
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved if medium or quartered if large
• 1½ cups beef broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup beer