Chocolate Salted Caramel Sleepy Bear
Werk Force Brewing Co

Local beer and local barrel aged beers are always a draw. I want to take advantage of the great selection that surrounds the greater Chicagoland area. My first Werk Force beer is Sleepy Bear, salted caramel variant. There were a few others to choose from but I liked the idea here. It is a very dark bourbon flavor with a thin ribbon of slated caramel. It starts off bold but gets a bit astringent after a while. I just saw they released this year’s batch so I’m going to check them out again if I see it in stores.

Yep!
16oz undated can poured into a snifter shows an opaque deep, dark brown body with an almost cola colored tint at the edges when backlit, and almost floating a 1/4in head of disappearing off-white foam that evaporates and leaves a clean glass behind.

Aroma is actually caramel, not a hint of malty caramel, but actual kraft caramels right out of the wrapper, if slightly metallic.

The taste is a soul affirming chocolate coated caramel that leaves only a hint of sadness with promises of additional happiness only a Mom could deny, especially since she has always denied access to Dad's bourbon.

Full, creamy, feel that you swear belongs poured over vanilla ice cream, but you simultaneously recognize couldn't possibly get better....

Overall, Werk Force can take you home with their barrel aged stouts, but be prepared...it is also good.

 

Had this on tap at Werk Force brewing. Just judging by the name I kinda expected this one to be one of those pastry stouts that are way too sweet. But I did enjoy the regular version of Sleepy Bear so I thought I'd try this one. I'm glad I did. This was very good, giving the flavor of salted caramel and chocolate without being overly sweet. It had a little smokiness to it that helped combat any sweetness. Very nicely done by Werk Force.