TOPIC:

Friend in Tokyo has asked me to bring a few bottles over to give to some people he is working with that are into craft beer. Not sure what to bring though.

First thought was Leann Follain and Of Foam and Fury but then I'm not sure if there's any point in bringing heavily hopped American beers ase they're likely to be able to get those over there anyway. Anyone have any thoughts? Or to put it the other way, if someone was coming from Japan would you want them to bring you back American style IPAs or something with a little more of a Japanese aspect (even if the IPA was probably a better rated beer)?

hmmm, probably try a stick with "local styles"- reds and dark/porter/stouts. Leann Follain is a good call, a few other recommendations would be Costellos, O'Brothers Bonita, Kinnegar's Blackbucket and Dot Brewing's Amber Rye.

Black Bucket won't be fresh unfortunately. Bucket Bridage (red rye) is the latest incarnation of that line.

Carrig Coalface.

Porterhouse Wrasslers and/or Oyster stout.

White Hag's Beann Gulban would be a shout, since it's fairly unique to Ireland.
Another unique one would be Kinnegar's new Olan's Tart, not that I've tried it yet (Chill are getting it in on Wednesday).
It wouldn't be fresh (unless it's still currently being made?), but Carlow's Hop Series Sorachi Ace could have been interesting to them, even for the novelty value.

Wouldn't bother with IPAs, reds and stouts would be grand.

What about bringing over a few ciders too?