Irish Guinness Beef Stew

and 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 and 1/2 inch cubes

canola oil

onions, finely diced

tomato paste

garlic cloves, minced

all purpose flour

beef broth

and 1/2 cups Guinness beer, divided

and 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

fresh thyme

carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces

and 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces

fresh parsley

salt

pepper