Power Blows as Port City Brewing Re-Releases Derecho Beer

Wouldn't you know it? Just as Port City Brewing in Alexandria was hosting a party re-releasing its Derecho Common beer Friday afternoon, a salute of sorts to the infamous derecho storm that struck June 29, 2012: The power goes out.

Was it Mother Nature's nod to the brewery's re-release?

Friday saw a torrential downpour and thunderous claps of lightning and even some hail in some areas. It knocked out power to thousands around Alexandria and Arlington. 

That included Port City Brewing Co., which happened to be hosting a re-release party of its special storm-inspired brew, according to DCist.

The power outage Friday didn't stop the celebrating. 

Here's what Port City had to say Saturday, on its Facebook page: "The Derecho Common is tapped & flowing, the Borinquen Lunch Box is in the lot and everyone is shining their Derecho flashlights. Good times!"

The brewery even had a special flashlight/beer opener created just for the anniversary. Who knew it might come in handy?

The special Derecho Common brew was born from the now-infamous derecho that hit June 29, 2012. When the brewery was faced with days of lost power, they hit upon creating lemonade out of potential lemons so to speak.

Here's an excerpt of what founder Bill Butcher told customers last year, in a letter he sent out:

"There is a beer style that developed in San Francisco called steam beer, or California Common beer. It is a beer made with lager yeast and fermented at higher temperatures like an ale. This is exactly what happened to this 60-barrel tank of our beer.

As a result, this storm has given us Derecho Common beer.

We will release the limited Derecho Common beer in early August. It will be draft only, and will be limited to about 120 kegs, which will be sold only to bars and restaurants in the D.C. Metro area."

Keep up with all of Port City Brewing Company doings this summer on its Facebook page.