Suggest an American Brown Ale

If you explain what you mean by "American" I think you'll get better responses.

 

Alesmith Nut Brown Ale! But reds are good too...

 

Came here to mention Palo Santo, the only brown that I enjoy.

 

Excited to read about all the love India Brown is getting. Love that beer! It's a bummer I can't get it in the NE/KS area. However, Surly (Bender/Abrasive) is now around so at least I've got that going for me!

 

Lots of good suggestions
I asked similar
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/your-favorite-brown-ales.256740/

 

Another vote for DFH Indian Brown... WOW!
Bells...of course
Smuttynose Durty...very hoppy but my new fave.

 

Can't believe nobody said The Dudes Grandmas Pecan English Style Brown....it's simply fantastic!

 

The only real next you have for an objective is to taste widely, and don't view it as a ladder to climb.
I'll reiterate what's already been said because they are each classic in their own way.
DFH Indian Brown
Big Sky Moose Drool (don't know if Big Sky is distributed out your way, but....)
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
Bells Best Brown (might be harder to find at this point due to it being on the tail end of it's seasonal window, it's hands down my favorite though.)

 

Not sure what you can get in Virginia, but..

DFH Indian Brown
Cigar City Maduro
Bell's Best Brown

are a good place to start.

 

Old brown dog, sam smith nut brown, goose island nut brown. all good intros to brown ale IMO. Mild and flavorful, not too hoppy.

 

Not that highly-rated, but I think it is pretty great.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/19126/49646/

 

Its all regional, but I second Surly Bender as my #1 choice. I also enjoy Ale Asylum Madtown nutbrown, and New Glarus Fat Squirrel.

If you want to stick to a traditional brown ale that is delicious (although not American), Samuel Smith Nut-brown is good.

 

Do you know the distribution of this? That is my daughter Josie drinking(juice) at New Glarus in my avatar.

 

Avery's Ellies' brown ale
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30/2894/

 

Fifty Fifty Charlie Brown - but it's rare...

Otherwise, DFH Palo Santo Marron...

 

Avery Ellie's and Grapevine Sir William's (I think technically an English Brown)

 

Sierra Nevada's Tumbler is one of my absolute favorite brown ales (and it is a style I really like). However, it is a seasonal, so you won't find it until sometime in the early Fall.

Honestly, as good as they may be, for your present purposes I would stay away from beers like Indian Brown or Palo Santo. They are not indicative of the style. They are indicative of how DFH likes to play with styles.

 

Moose Drool

 

That's awesome! Lone Rider does not seem to list the availability on their site, but there is a news story on their site about expansion last year:

http://www.thebarleyblog.com/2014/lonerider-beer-expand-distribution-southeast-mid-atlantic/

 

A few that have been mentioned....but just to add my support. In general, I think Brown Ale's are an underappreciated style. These are all worth seeking out. In no particular order:

Port Brewing Board Meeting
Avery Ellies Brown
Dogfish Palo Santo and Indian Brown
Surley Coffee Bender

And a recent find (for me, anyway) - Saint Archer Coffee Brown

Lastly, if you can get to Paso Robles to Firestone Walker's tap room, don't miss Bravo!