Beef and Guinness Stew

Ingredients

• slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces
• teaspoons salt, divided, or more to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• onions, coarsely chopped
• garlic, minced
• can dark beer
• tomato paste
• carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• sprigs fresh thyme
• teaspoon white sugar
• teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• chicken stock, or as needed to cover
• mashed potatoes