Brown bacon in skillet. Leaving fat in pan, just add bacon to soup pot.
Brown steak cubes that have been well seasoned with salt & pepper to the skillet and bacon fat. Brown in batches. Leaving juices and fat in skillet, just add steak to soup pot. Add flour to meat mixture, and coat.
On med heat add onions and garlic to pan. Saute til lightly browned. Then add to the soup pot.
Meanwhile add bay leaves, sugar, and tomato paste to the soup pot.
Last saute carrots and celery til fragrant. Add to soup pot.
Add Stout and broth to pot. Replace skillet with soup pot on stove. Bring to boil. Simmer 1-2 hours til steak is tender.
Serve with mashed potatoes.
