Simple to prepare and easy to adapt, this Guinness beef stew is a comforting cold-weather favorite—perfect around St. Patrick’s Day.

In our first year of marriage we lived in Georgia and wanted a relaxed way to mark St. Patrick’s Day. We weren’t looking for the noisy bar scene; instead we wanted a cozy meal at home. Corned beef was expensive on our tight budget, so we chose stew beef, fresh vegetables, and a bottle of Guinness. The ingredients were affordable, versatile, and made a hearty meal that left room for a sweet treat and a drink for the Godfather.