Soaking beans overnight rehydrate beans for a faster and more even cooking time. That said, freshly harvested and dried beans don't require soaking as they cook much more evenly then the average store-bought brand.
Ingredients
2oz guanciale or bacon, cut into chunks
1 onion, sliced thinly
4 cloves garlic, minced
6oz beer, amber ale or pilsner
1/2 lb kidney beans
1 bag baby kale
Method
In a soup pot, heat a glug of olive oil over medium heat and cook the pork until the fat is rendered and is starting to brown
Add the onion and garlic with a big pinch of salt and sweat until soft
Add the beer and evaporate by half
Add the beans and enough water to cover by 2 inches
Bring the water to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and stew until the beans are tender (about 40 minutes)
Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired
Dress the baby kale with a glug of olive oil, pinch of salt, and grind of black pepper
Serve the beans with a big pile of the kale on top