Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.
Heat the oil in large lidded casserole dish, brown the meat really well in batches, then set aside.
Add the onion and carrots to the dish, give them a good browning, then scatter over the flour and stir.
Tip the meat and any juices back into the dish and give it all a good stir. Pour over the stout and crumble in the stock cube. Season the stew with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. Tuck in the herbs and bring everything to a simmer.
Cover with a lid and place in the oven for about 2½ hrs until the meat is really tender.
