Irish stew doesn't contain beer so no need to worry on that score! Here is a recipe i found which looks good - i haven't made it and i know you asked for tried and true but it looks so simple i think it would be difficult to get it wrong.

A simple dish of lamb, potatoes and onions, well flavoured with herbs.

Middle neck of lamb - 700g (11/2 lb), cut into cutlets and trimmed
Onions - 2 medium, sliced
Potatoes - 450g (1 lb), thinly sliced
Parsley - 1 tbsp, chopped + extra to garnish
Thyme - 1 tbsp
Water - 300ml (1/2 pint)

METHOD

Pre-heat oven to 170 °C / 325 °F / Gas 3.

Make layers of meat, vegetables and herbs in a deep casserole, ending with a top layer of potato to make a neat ‘lid’.

Pour in the water and cover with greaseproof paper or foil and then the casserole lid. Bake for 2 hours or until everything is tender.

Serve hot garnished with chopped parsley.