caramel ? Special Roast

There is a beer that I love. Ale Asylum Madtown Nutbrown and reading reviews the word caramel is in every comment.

What would make this particular taste???

On other question. In looking for brown ales I love there seems to be one flavor I really like when I spot it.

Not knowing recipes of most brews I brewed up a brown ale from a recipe and noticed that THAT flavor was in this brew. Looking again at the recipe it contain Special Roast. It's the first time I've use Special Roast and I'm wondering f this is the secret ingredient.

Any personal experiences with SR?

It seems more toasty and dry than caramely to me. But that was just my impression from tasting the raw grain, the only recipes Ive used it in had way too complex grain bills to tell one malt flavor contribution from another. Ive used it in a barley wine and something Id describe as a robust brown porter, both are excellent.