Specialty Grain Question for Christmas ale

I am making a Christmas Ale and last year I used Crystal Malt and a little Chocolate malt as specialty grains. My local homebrew shop guy didn't have either but suggested that I substitute Brown Malt for the crystal and coffee malt for the chocolate. Any opinions on that option?
My thought was that was closer to specialties for a porter or stout not an amber colored xmas ale.

Thanks

order what you want from one of the great retailers. Dont substitute just cause your LBS is out. My 2 cents

Well, your still going to make beer, but its going to taste completely different. Go to the online stores, don't sacrifice the brew.

Out of crystal malt? That's hard to believe, it's such a basic ingredient.

Pappers said:

Out of crystal malt? That's hard to believe, it's such a basic ingredient.

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Not everyone has a Bev Art in their town.

I guess it will make an ok beer, but those are more for stouts and porters.

What kind of Xmas ale are you making? Mine?

slimer said:

Not everyone has a Bev Art in their town.

I guess it will make an ok beer, but those are more for stouts and porters.

What kind of Xmas ale are you making? Mine?

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I have my own recipe that I came up with that I am trying to improve on.

Brown malt is in no way a replacement for crystal. In fact I thought brown malt and coffee malt were names used interchangeably for the same malt.