Coworker had some business in California about a month or so ago and came back with several bottles of Pliny the Elder. He was kind enough to give me one.
Pliny is probably the godfather of the top-tier Double IPAs, a trend setter. Definitely still an excellent, top-tier beer.
However, I personally think Parish's Ghost in the Machine (especially the juicy Batch 5) is actually better than Pliny. But...everyone's tastes are different.
If you haven't tried a fresh bottle of Clown Shoes Space Cake, be on the lookout soon. I think you'll find it up there with Pliny as well.
As for the above thought of working out a deal with RR to try out their distribution in Louisiana, my understanding is they can barely keep up with demand in their home state of California, and I think they try to keep some of their stuff on the shelves in Nevada and Colorado. They would have to make huge investments in their production to increase to levels to distribute in new states.
Trust me, the enthusiasm for craft beer in the Houston-Austin-Dallas areas is HUGE. I'm sure RR knows their stuff would fly off the shelves out here, but it really doesn't make since for them to try and distribute out here when the demand is still so great close to home.