Beer

24 Days of B.C. Beer: Naughty and Spiced Porter by Russell Brewing Company (No.15)

No matter your behaviour in 2020, this beer should go down smooth.

By Nathan Caddell /

Welcome to 24 Days of Beer, in which we guide you through what might be a very dark month. Aren’t you glad we’re here to tell you what to drain your sorrows with?

You’d be forgiven if you considered Surrey’s Russell Brewing a bygone, outdated member of the old guard of Greater Vancouver breweries, launched so far before such things were cool that it predates hipsterdom.

On the latter point, you’d be right: Russell was started in 1995, before many of today’s industry experts had their first beer. But unlike some of its compatriots, Russell has managed to keep up with the times remarkably well.

Always on the list of winners at the annual Canadian and B.C. craft beer awards with offerings like its Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout and Wee Angry Scotch Ale, the brewery has managed to churn out excellent brews and decorate them impeccably. 

So it comes with little surprise that the delightfully named Naughty and Spiced Porter is a treat both to look at and to taste. Deep and rich, it’s augmented by an actually identifiable mix of ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. 

At 6 percent ABV it’s the perfect beer to curl up and sip by the tree while you agonize what to drop at your siblings’ doorsteps for Christmas. Just me? Well, anyway, it makes the whole thing much more enjoyable.

Previous 24 Days of Beer:
Tmavý Pivo 13 by Slowhand Brewing (No.1)
Mint Chocolate Stout by Moody Ales (No.2)
All Season Nitro Dry Stout by Container Brewing (No.3)
Four Year Oatmeal Stout by Strathcona Beer Company (No.4)
Idleback Amber Ale by Slackwater Brewing (No.5)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter by Bad Tattoo Brewing (No.6)
Velour Toboggan Blackberry Dark Ale by Dageraad Brewing (No.7)
Imperial Gingerbread Porter by Persephone Brewing (No.8)
Cranberry Mandarin Orange Witbier by Old Yale Brewing (No.9)
Chalet All Day Horchata Blonde Ale by Bridge Brewing (No.10)
Indulgeousness Imperial Stout by Superflux Beer Company (No.11)
Blackberry Export Stout by Vancouver Island Brewing (No.12)
Con Leche Horchata Style Milk Stout by Twin Sails Brewing (No.13)
Haulin’ Oats Oatmeal Stout by Main Street Brewing (No.14)