Visiting LA late August. What to try? (I'm from Texas)

Depends where exactly you'll be.
You could drive from Dallas to Austin quicker than you can drive from one side of the LA area to the other during daytime traffic.

 

Where in LA will you be staying (it's kind of a big area)? How long will you be here? Will you have a car?

Good chance you'll be able to find Pliny on tap somewhere in the LA area.

 

This should have some tips and details for you: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/los-angeles-confuses-me-please-help.198135/

But like others asked, where are you going to be?

 

I would definitely try to get to Beachwood in Long Beach. They might have Pliny on. And even if they don't, most of their beers are pretty great. Congregation Ale House is right around the corner from Beachwood and they might also have Pliny. I'm not so great with the downtown area but that other thread linked should give you some ideas.

 

Again and again, Beachwood BBQ (Long Beach &/or Seal Beach) is a must go to place while your in the LA area. One or both should have Pliny on sometime during your stay. Both locations closed on Mondays. But check some of the places in the downtown LA area for Pliny too. Freeways suck!! So plan accordingly. Friday's are usually the worst day for freeway travelling. For the rest, use the link that JohnCassillo posted. If you have some time I would take a day and head south to San Diego for the beer capital of the nation. And include Alpine in your travels.

 

Verdugo Bar and Mohawk Bend are not too far from downtown and often have Pliny

Mohawk Bend almost always has it. including right now http://mohawk.la/beer/

 

Would anyone know where I could find some relatively close to LAX (or highest chance) today? I don't think Beachwood has it on tap from what I can see on their site.

 

I would drop everything and go to 38 degrees. Great tap list now plus Pliny.

 

I'd take Nelson over Pliny any day of the week. Pliny is a bonus. But this time of the day with LA traffic!!!!! I'll pass.

 

Pliny if you are in northern Cal. 38* in Alhambra, Bottle Logic, The Bruery, Golden Road, Beachwood BBQ.

 

There are so many great IPAs out there (pliny included), that you shouldn't chase pliny if it means missing out on the others. There is more to California beer than pliny.

 

this

 

Truth speaker right here.

 

Library Ale House in Santa Monica has Pliny on tap often.

 

Bingo!

 

One thousand times, yes. I never understand why people come to Southern California and look for a beer from Northern California. San Diego is arguably the country's most thriving beer scene, with many of the best selections around (and all brewed right in the same county!). If you want Pliny, plan a trip to NorCal. It's great, yeah. And I've drank plenty of it gladly. But if you're in San Diego or Orange County or Los Angeles, there's a lot you're missing out on by chasing down Pliny.

 

^^ Like peanut butter milk stout from the Beaver.