Can you help me rescue my steak pie?

[CatMandu]

I thought it was lacking in flavour, so I nipped out and bought some guiness which I added. It's been simmering for a while and I've just tasted it and there's a funny aftertaste. Is there anything I can add or do to help it, I think it was the guiness that did it.

handful of brown sugar won't hurt

have you taken out the bay leaf?

what kind of after taste?

I'd add some sugar too, and salt and pepper or stock cube?

how long ahve you been simmering it? cooking the alchol out takes a couple of hours

Have addedd salt & pepper and stock cube. No bay leaf (the ones I have are old and crispy!!). It's been simmering about 45 mins, so perhaps I need to leave it longer?

recipe here recommends cooking for 2 hours.

Def leave longer. 1 1/2 hrs to 2 in this house too. (+ 1/2 hr in oven)