Preheat the oven to 325°F. Season the flour and sprinkle over the meat, tossing to coat.
Heat the oil in a large casserole and lightly sauté the onions and carrots. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and reserve them.
Brown the meat well in batches in the casserole.
Return all the vegetables to the casserole an add any leftover seasoned flour. Add the Guinness or beer, bay leaves, sugar and thyme. Bring the liquid to a boil and transfer to the oven.
After the meat has been cooking for 1 hour and 40 minutes, make the dumplings. Mix the crisco and flour together. Add enough water to make a soft, sticky dough.
Form the dough into small balls with floured hands. Add the cider vinegar to the meat a spoon the dumplings on top. Cook for a dumplings further 20 minutes, until the dumplings have cooked through and serve hot.