Skip to main content

Sled Dog Stew

Sled Dog, a malty, full-bodied craft lager with notes of caramel and chocolate, is the key ingredient in Wagner Valley’s version of Carbonnades Flamande, Belgium’s rich national dish. The hearty stew is an excellent bracer against our cold, snowy winter days in the Finger Lakes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt, plus more as needed
1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, plus more as needed
3 pounds beef chuck, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 pound bacon, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch dice
3 parsnips, peeled, sliced lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 cups sweet corn kernels
3 bay leaves
3 cups beef stock
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cups diced russet potatoes
12 ounces Sled Dog Doppelbock, or another dark, full-bodied lager
2 cups pearl onions

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the flour, salt, and white pepper in a bowl. Toss the beef in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess.

    Step 2

    Place the olive oil and bacon in a 1-gallon stockpot and set over medium heat. Once the bacon begins to render its fat, add the beef and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring often, only until the bacon begins to crisp. Add the garlic, carrots, parsnips, sweet corn kernels, and bay leaves. Sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the beef stock, thyme, and potatoes and bring to a boil. When the stew boils, decrease the heat to medium-low, and add the Sled Dog and pearl onions. Cover the stockpot and simmer, stirring often, for 2 hours.

    Step 3

    Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaves, and adjust seasonings to taste.

    Step 4

    For a thicker stew, remove about 1 cup of the broth, place it in a bowl, and add some of the remaining seasoned flour, then add the mixture back to the stew.

  2. note

    Step 5

    Enjoy this hearty stew with some warm biscuits and garlic mashed potatoes. For a complementary beverage, buy a 25-ounce bottle of Sled Dog Doppelbock, use half for this recipe, and drink the rest with the meal; or try the stew with a full-bodied red wine such as Wagner Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. Venison may be substituted for the beef chuck.

Greetings from the Finger Lakes
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Charred chicken breasts coated in a tangy dry rub sit atop a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions.
This frozen cocktail uses instant espresso for a strong flavor and unbeatable convenience.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.