McCloud, its a matter of preference. The original recipe my mom used to use called for Shiner Boch beer. Personally I prefer to drink Ziggenbach, so I experimented one day and used it instead of Shiner. Basically, I think any dark beer will work though!

i keep forgeting to get the slo cooker liners

Irish Beef Stew

4 lbs. beef, chuck or round cut into 2 inch squares
4 tbsp. shortening
2 qts. boiling water
Juice of one lemon
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 lg. onion, minced
4 bay leaves
2 tbsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. paprika
2 dashes of ground cloves
2 tbsp. sugar
2 small cans white onions
2 lg. cans Irish potatoes
2 bunches carrots, quartered
2 pkgs. pie crust mix
1 c. flour

Dredge meat in flour. Melt shortening until it is smoking hot. Brown meat, add water, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Add garlic, onion and bay leaves. Add dry ingredients. Bring to a rolling boil, then lower heat to a medium setting. Cook slowly for two hours, adding water to cover if necessary.
Add carrots, cook 20 minutes on high heat, add potatoes and onions, let cook ten more minutes or until carrots are tender.

Prepare pie crust as directed on package. Pour stew into one huge or two large casserole dishes. Cover with pie crust. Brown in 400 degree oven until crust is browned.

Made a pot yesterday and used the frozen sweet corn instead of canned and diced tomatoes (with juice) instead of stewed. This stuff was awesome! Wife and son both commented on it.

Also cooked it on the stove instead of the crockpot. Saw that the cord was melted on the crockpot so it went into the trash.

Good lookin chow and da cornbread looks might fine!!