Beef Brisket with Beer

Beef brisket turns out best when you stew it in a slow cooker and flavor it with beer and onions.
Rub the brisket with salt and pepper. Preheat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brush the mold with cooking spray. Add the brisket to the skillet; cook for 10 minutes, until lightly browned on all sides. Remove the brisket from the pan. Add 1/4 cup water to the pan, stirring occasionally to brown the pieces. Add the onion and parsnips; simmer for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.Place the onion mixture, vinegar, bay leaf, and beer in a large electric slow cooker. Place the brisket on top of the onion mixture. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours. Discard the bay leaf. Cut the brisket diagonally across the fibers into thin slices. Serve with the sauce.