Beef and mushrooms simmer in a rich beer sauce before going into a hearty, flavourful pie.
This was a hearty meal but I did need to adjust a bit as it was a bit bland. I added some carrots, a cup of beef broth (as there was not enough liquid to cook the potatoes and tenderize the stew meat) and lastly I thought to add some tomato flavor. I did not have tomato paste but added 2 Tbsp of ketchup and I immediatly knew it just what the dish needed. I had to cook it longer than 30 minutes to get the meat to a stew type tenderness. I only used a top pie crust to make it easier. It cut down the time in the oven and seemed perfect and not overpowering. I would make this again but with the modifications. My husband being more of a meat and potato guy would want it again for sure. - 11 Jan 2008 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)
This was delicious and easier to make than I had expected. I used a ready-made pie crust and a deep dish 9" pan. I took the advice of other reviewers and left the saucepan covered during all of the simmering steps to preserve the fluids, and I used a bunch of cornstarch (which works better for me with gravies) instead of the flour when making the rue. Overall a big Superbowl Sunday hit! - 07 Feb 2011 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)
Fantastic recipe!! I browned my diced stew meat first to add that "brown" flavor to the dish, then deglazed the pan w/onions and 2 T minced garlic. Readded the meat and a bottle of Killian's Irish Red. I did not have a problem with too little liquid, perhaps because I kept the dish covered as it simmered. Only other additions were a spoon full of beef base (no additional liquid) and a dash of liquid smoke. Great and flavorful, even my grandson loved it. - 15 Mar 2008 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)