Brown IPA was originally known as Texas Brown Ale. The origin of this beer was actually California and not Texas. The style seemingly intertwines two styles into one; an American IPA and an American Brown Ale.
A good representation of this beer will have a high hop flavor and bitterness with a rich malt flavor.
Such a marriage of beer styles could only be made up by homebrewers. Scott Birdman’s story received attention; so much that it appears in the 2011 Bay Area Mashers