Beef in Guiness

1kg stewing or braising beef, cubed
2 tbsp plain flour
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
500ml Guiness
1 beef stock cube
1 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper

Put the beef and flour in a large heatproof dish, mix well. Bake at 220 degrees centigrade for 20 minutes. Add the onion a garlic, bake for another 10 minutes. Add the Guiness, thyme and bay leaf, crumble in the stock cube, add enough boiling water to cover the meat and season with salt and pepper. Cover the dish with foil or a lid. Reduce the heat to 170 degrees centigrade and cook for 2 hours.