Beef and Guinness Stew from Real Irish Food by David Bowers

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
• 5 pounds stew beef, such as chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• Generous pinch of nutmeg
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons suet or vegetable oil
• 2 cups beef stock
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 12-ounce bottles Guinness Extra Stout
• 1 pound white mushrooms, halved