Don't be intimidated by the preparation time on this stew. It's quick to prepare and a cinch to make. Most of the time required is fully hands-off since the work is done by the slow cooker. In fact, this stew is one you can prepare the night before if that timing works better for you. Just put everything in the slow cooker and refrigerate the crock pot overnight. The next day, start it on high for an hour, then turn to low and cook for another 7 to 9 hours. By the time the chilly evening rolls around, dinner will be doneBeer adds flavor to a hearty beef stew or pot roast. Use any beer you like to drink (and you can even serve the same beer with the finished stew). This beef stew is delicious on its own, served on top of hot buttered noodles or plain rice, or with a simple salad and buttered roll. If you have a slow cooker with a saut feature, feel free to brown the beef stew meat prior to slow cooking. Remove the meat, saut the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and then follow the rest of the directions. If your slow cooker does not have that function, don't worry. Follow the recipe and the stew will turn out delicious.