On tap at the Auburn Hills location. Cloudy orange-brown body, thin-medium off-white head. Light caramely aroma with earthy hops notes, sweet toasts too. Rich cerealy, caramely body with earthy hops. Cheerios and grass. Rich but simple, for fans of big sweet, bready malts. Even the alcohol felt subdued.

On tap at the Auburn Hills location. Deep brown body with reddish highlights, medium tan head. Strong buttery diacetyl-laced aroma, masking the roasted malts and coffee. The body was not completely marred by diacetyl, exhibiting strong burnt sugars, toast, cocoa, and even a touch of molasses. Decent with the buttery notes, could have been better than that without them.

Draught at the Gaylord location: Dark and hazy brown color with a medium thin bone white head. Thin and spotty lacing. Well-spiced aroma along with some malt. Medium-bodied with malt, dark fruit and spice flavors. The finish is spicy and has a bit of alcohol in it. One of Big Buck’s better offerings.

Sample at the Gaylord location: Jet black color with a thin and bubbly light brown head. Lacing is nil. Aroma of roasted malt and coffee. Medium-bodied and creamy smooth with milk chocolate and coffee flavoring, along with some roasted malt. The finish is lightly bitter coffee and hops. Not great, but pretty solid all around.

Sample at the Gaylord location: Dark and murky brownish amber color with a thin beige head and spotty lacing. Definite rye in the aroma with an underlying honey sweetness. Medium body with dark malt, brown sugar and rye flavors. The finish is hoppy with a good rye aftertaste. Enjoyable beer.

Sample at the Gaylord location: Pale orange color with a continuous string of rising bubbles. Thin white head and spotty lacing. Medium-bodied with roasted malt and hops flavor. The finish is lightly hoppy and rather short. Alright as far as Oktoberfests go, pretty much on par with what you would find at most brewpubs right off the interstate.

Sample at the Gaylord location: Dark amber/red color with a compact light beige head. There is a top ring of lacing with spots beneath. Strong earthy malt aroma. Medium-bodied with a rich malt character, along with some citrus and a touch of alcohol. The finish is dry and hoppy. Above average ESB in my opinion.

Sample at the Gaylord location: This brew is a reddish-amber color with a thin off-white head that dissipates quickly. Spotty lacing. Toasted malt aroma. Medium body with a pretty standard malt flavor and not much else. The finish is soft and malty, with a lingering bitterness afterward. So-so.

Sample at the Gaylord location: Pours a dark amber color with a medium ivory head that lasts a long time. Fair amount of lacing as well. The aroma is big on citrus and hops, with a nice malt undertone. Medium-bodied with a flavorfully bitter character. Citrus and floral hops up front, along with some sweet fruit and malt. The finish is crisp and hoppy with a nice aftertaste. A solid example of an IPA.

Sample at the Gaylord location: Clear amber color with a thin ivory head that dissipates steadily. Minimal lacing is evident. Light-bodied and mildly bitter with a touch of sweetness. The finish is light citrusy hops. Not the best "transition" between their lighter and darker beers. While it is not a bad beer, I think I will just skip over this transitional step next time.