Is Briess Special Roast "american brown malt"?

Can't really find brown malt except at some online vendors I use. My LHBS has briess special roast. Think I can swap out the brown for briess special roast without changing things considerably?

Nope, they are completely different. Special roast can be described as a "super biscuit," which even in small amounts lends a biscuity-toasted flavor. In larger amounts it can be very bready and tart, nearing that of bread dough.

Regardless, if you want to use brown malt, you really need to buy the real stuff. Thomas Fawcett makes what most consider the best and most authentic brown malt, it is around 65+L and provides those lightly roasty coffee/chocolate flavors. There is no substitution.

You can toast your own out of base malt.