Derecho brings destruction, power loss -- and beer

If there’s any silver lining to the storm and subsequent heat wave that’s besieged the region as of late, it is this: new beer.

Upon losing power two weeks ago, Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria came perilously close to losing 13,000 gallons of beer to spoilage. Careful monitoring (and a backup generator) kept it safe, but one tank of lager fermented at a higher temperature — which is exactly how a particular style of steam beer known as California Common is brewed. Henceforth, this special batch, about 120 kegs in all, will be known as Derecho Common.