Carbonnade à la Flamande of Chuck Roast

Carbonnade is a rich, thick beef stew in the style of Flanders, made with onions, often bacon and strong Belgian beer. Centuries ago, the original carbonnade may have even been made with the European wild boar--a meat much more common and less valuable than the cow. Do try to get a dark Belgian or German beer for this recipe; if that is impossible, substitute dark, rich Belgian-style ale. This recipe may be halved.