Pat Beef Dry With Paper Towels, Then Season Well With Salt And Pepper. On The Stove Top, Heat 2 Tablespoons Of Butter In A Large Heavy Bottomed Dutch Oven Over Medium-High Heat Until Hot, Almost Smoking. Working In Batches, Brown The Meat, Without Stirring, About 3 Minutes On Each Side (Do Not Stir, Give The Meat An Opportunity To Brown Well). Transfer Browned Beef To A Separate Bowl. Add 2 Tablespoons Butter To Dutch Oven; Reduce Heat To Medium. Add The Onions And 1/2 Teaspoon Of Salt; Cook Until Onions Are Browned, About 15 Minutes. Add Flour And Stir Until Onions Are Evenly Coated And Flour Is Lightly Browned, About 2 Minutes. Stir In Broth, Scraping Pan Bottom To Loosen Browned Bits; Stir In Beer, Thyme, Bay, Browned Beef With Any Of The Accumulated Juices, And Salt And Pepper To Taste. Increase Heat To Medium-High And Bring To A Full Simmer. Reduce Heat To Low, Partially Cover, Let Cook For 2-3 Hours Until Beef Is Fork Tender. (Alternatively Can Cook In The Oven At 300