Deus Ex Machina

Albert Einstein once said, "anyone who has never made a mistake has not tried anything new."   Although I am sure that the quote has its application to theoretical physics, it applies perfectly to brewing beer. Beer is produced according to recipes, with precise measurements of ingredients and also of times. If you deviate from the the recipe or the brewing process, then you will most likely have something new to try.  

Take D.C. Brau, for example.  The brewers were working on a new batch of their Double India Pale Ale, On the Wings of Armageddon (OTWOA).  They suffered a mistake in the brewing process.  Many mistakes have to be discarded, but this one led to something new.  It was not the OTWOA; however, the mistake produced a double IPA, with a character all of its own.  According to the Chief Executive Officer of D.C. Brau, Brandon Skall, "sometimes you have to embrace blunders."  This "blunder" was not really one at all.  It produced a unique double IPA that the brewers dubbed Deux Ex Machina or "God from the Machine."

Deus Ex Machina is a force, with an ABV of 8.75% ABV and IBUs totalling 131 IBUs.  The brewers describe the beer as being hopped with Falconer's Flight and Columbus hops.  Both of these hops are known for their spicy and strong flavors.  For the Deus Ex Machina, they create what the brewers call "a virtual pine forest of super dank, mouth-coating flavors with underlying hints of sugar coated fruit."  

For a mistake, the Deus Ex Machina pours a perfect golden orange color.  The foam is thick and persistent; however, it eventually gives way as the aromas greet the nose.   Those aromatic elements are full of the piney and resinous hops, but there is a surprising amount of citrus fruit.  The most prominent fruit, as one would expect, is grapefruit, but there are also some hints of lemon.  The flavor is just as advertised ... one large, deep conifer forest of hop flavors.  The citrus fruit is also present, but, it is seems as if there is not just the fruit, but also the rind.  This means that there is some bitterness, but something that is welcomed by hopheads. 

D.C. Brau has said that this is a limited release and it may never be made again.  This would be unfortunate.  Even though it was a mistake, the Deus Ex Machina is a great beer.  

ENJOY!