This is a last-minute St. Patrick's Day recipe, but luckily it's a fairly quick one. File this one under Un-Meat - all the rich, hearty goodness of Guinness stew without the beef.
This recipe took a bit of tweaking to get the seasonings right, but I think a small amount of sugar is the key to round out the bitterness of the Guinness. And as with most stews, it's even better the next day.
Enjoy it with a piece of savory Irish soda bread (we love Bon Appétit's brown butter version) and, of course, a cold pint.
*Note: Many consider Guinness to be non-vegetarian/non-vegan due to the company's reported use of isinglass, a fish product, to remove extra yeast. Guinness maintains that its products are animal-product-free, but admits a possibility that minute quantities of isinglass might be carried into the beer. If this is a concern, try Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout or another vegan beer.
Vegetarian Guinness Stew
serves 61 tablespoon olive oil
3 celery stalks
3 small onions
1 pound button mushrooms, cleaned
3 pounds russett potatoes, peeled
3 large carrots, peeled
1 tablespoon flour
One 11.2-ounce bottle of Guinness
1 teaspoon mustard
1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon vegetable base
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
4 cups water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Finely chop celery, 2 of the onions and 4 mushrooms. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot and add chopped vegetables. Cook until softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, chop the remaining onion, potatoes and carrots into large chunks. Set aside.
Add flour to the softened mixture and stir to coat. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour in Guinness and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until all vegetables are fork-tender, about 45 minutes.

More
- Bon Appétit's Brown Butter Soda Bread with rosemary and cracked pepper
- Vegan Connection: Vegan Beer
- Satya magazine: Introduction to Vegan Beer
Related: The Thirsty Reader: A Guinness Milkshake
(Images: Joanna Miller)
TW Salt Mill by Wil...

I don't really like mushrooms, but I bet this would be quite good with seitan...
I'd just like to point out that depending on how strict of a vegetarian you are, this may not be suitable for your diet. Guinness stout is treated with isinglass which is made from fish products.
Oh jeez, I'm sorry. I somehow completely missed your note even though I read the recipe.
As Louiedog said; Guinness is not vegetarian in its own right.
http://www.vegsoc.org/press/2007/aprilfool.html
This recipe is awesome!!!!!!! I am not vegan but only cook vegan at home. I've had a lot of Guinness stew in my lifetime and this really tastes like it without the meat. I did make a couple of adjustments. I used 3 tablespoons Earth Balance instead of olive oil for a more authentic taste. And I had a bit more Better Than Bouillion and beer to cover the veggies (though you might want to add more water instead). Next time I make it, I want to try Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout, one of my favorite beers, and it's truly vegan. I think it will be very good!
The recipe calls for mustard - regular yellow mustard or dry mustard?