Brisket in Onion-Ale BBQ Sauce

1. Trim fat from meat. If necessary, cut meat to fit into a 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker. In the cooker, combine onion and bay leaf; add meat. In a medium bowl, combine beer, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour over meat. 

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or high-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours. 

3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meat and onion to a serving platter. Slice meat across the grain; cover and keep warm. Discard bay leaf. 

4. For gravy, pour enough of the cooking liquid into a 4-cup glass measuring cup to equal 2 1/2 cups; skim off fat. Discard the remaining cooking liquid. In a medium saucepan, combine cornstarch and the cold water; stir in the 2 1/2 cups cooking liquid. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Serve meat and onion with gravy.