If you’re a craft beer drinker, there’s a good chance that you’ve not only heard of Flying Bison’s flagship Vienna lager Rusty Chain, you’ve more than like enjoyed a fresh pint yourself at one time or another. Probably multiple pints. It’s an important beer in the annals of the history of the craft movement in Western New York to say the very least, one of the best-selling local craft beers in Buffalo of all time and one that can be found in most corner pub and neighborhood bar across the area year round.

Needless to say, there isn’t much that can be said about Rusty Chain that you haven’t already heard.

There is, however, one accolade that hasn’t been bestowed upon Rusty Chain – having a winter storm named after it. That is, until now.

The Erie County DPW continued their tradition of naming winter storms after Western New York beer with Winter Storm Rusty Chain, which follows previous storms, which were named after Thin Man’s Pills Mafia, Rusty Nickel Brewing’s Ebenezer IPA and Hamburg Brewing’s OMS.

“[Erie County] DPW is up to the “Rs” for naming storms after local brews and has named this “Rusty Chain” after Flying Bison Brewery’s lager,” Erie County Executive Mark Polocarz says.

Brewed with Pilsner, Vienna and Caramel malts and Magnum and Tettnang hops, Rusty Chain is a “medium bodied Vienna-style amber beer with soft, nutty malt flavors and just enough German hops for balance,” the brewery says. “‘Chain’ goes great with chicken, pizza, grilled vegetables, pretty much everything now that we think about it.”

“We are grateful to the drivers who work so hard to keep us safe and honored that they are thinking of Flying Bison,” owner Tim Herzog says. “I am hoping to offer each of them a 6-pack of Rusty Chain, if that’s allowed of course.”

You can find Rusty Chain in bottles or cans and on draft at the brewery or wherever great beer is sold right now. While you’re out stocking up for the storm, make sure to grab some extra to keep yourself hydrated during the Bills – Chiefs Divisional Round playoff game Sunday night.

For more information, visit http://www.flyingbisonbrewing.com.

***Feature photo courtesy of Erie County DPW

Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).