Step 1 Place the peeled onions in a pan with the bacon and a little of the oil, cook gently until the bacon and onions begin to take on a little colour. Then remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 2 Put the seasoned flour in a plastic bag, add the cubed meat and toss well to coat the meat in the flour.

Step 3 Heat the oil a little at a time in the pan and brown the meat in batches. When all the meat is browned, put the cubed potato into the bottom of the slow cooker, then layer in the meat, onions, bacon and thyme.

Step 4 Using the pan the meat was cooked in, combine the stock, water, beer, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Add the bay leaf, heat, and pour into the cooker. Cook on high for 6-7 hours or on low for 8-9 hours.

Step 5 Serve with mashed spuds and green veg or use as a pie filling, top with a cobbler topping or add dumplings.