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Seasonal sipping: 7 pumpkin beers for any palate

Cooler weather means beer drinkers will begin to see fall beers, many utilizing the flavor of the season: pumpkin.

There are many different kinds out on the market, and as a beer lover, I wanted to taste every one I could find. So I rounded up a group of friends -- both experienced and non-experienced beer drinkers -- and did an anonymous taste test to find some great ones.

Here are seven of the best beers for any occasion that are easy to find at your local grocery store.

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Best for pumpkin haters: Pumpkin Down by Ballast Point Brewing Co.

Pumpkin Down is Ballast Point's fall twist on its Scottish ale Piper Down. This medium-bodied beer strikes the right balance between malt and spice. The roasted pumpkin flavor isn't overwhelming and compliments the caramel and toffee flavors. It has a smooth, creamy finish and is an easy drinker at 5.8 percent alcohol by volume.

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Best for people who don't normally like beer: Pumpkin Cider by Ace Hard Cider

Some of the other ciders we tried tasted too artificial, but Ace did a good job of meshing the sweetness of pumpkin and apple with cinnamon, allspice and clove to tone it down. Plus, the cider's light orange color is extremely festive. It's 5 percent ABV.

(Courtesy of Stevens Point Brewery)

Best to drink for dessert: Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale by Stevens Point Brewery

If you could bottle pumpkin pie, it would be this beer. Beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers alike will find something to enjoy about it. It's not too sweet but still makes for a great dessert beer. Plus it's a heavy-hitter at 7.5 percent ABV.

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Best seasonal sub for your regular six-pack: Post Road Pumpkin Ale by Brooklyn Brewery

This colonial-style pumpkin ale has great flavor. The pumpkin and nutmeg are subtle and not overwhelming. This beer was deliciously malty but also had a slight hoppy bitterness not often found in many pumpkin beers we tried. The warm pumpkin aroma and crisp finish make this a great pick for someone looking to shake up their routine. The beer is 5 percent ABV.

If you see it, snatch it: Punkel by Lakewood Brewing Co.

Though it's been available since August, this local seasonal is flying off retail shelves. The usual pumpkin pie spices, such as cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, enhance this dark, malty German lager, but it's also brewed with ginger, which offers a nice change of pace. This 5.5-percent ABV beer is light-to-medium bodied and true to the Dunkel style. The flavors of toasty caramel and spice are balanced nicely. The pumpkin is not overwhelming, so if you want something that screams pumpkin, this may not be for you.

Good party pick: Pumpkinhead by Shipyard Brewing Co.

This isn't the strongest pumpkin-flavored beer on the list, but it's an easy drinker that can please many different palates. It has flavors of malt, pumpkin, nutmeg, and apple, and is the right balance between sweet and spicy. Overall, it's a good neutral brew for a party with various different foods and drink preferences. It's 4.5 percent ABV.

Best to put some hair on your chest: Warlock by Southern Tier Brewing Co.

This imperial stout is not for the faint of heart. This aromatic brew is very dark and has a roasted, bitter flavor with hints of coffee and chocolate. It's extremely strong and smoky, not to mention boozy at 10 percent ABV. Despite the high alcohol content, this one is only available in 22 oz. bottles, so plan on drinking it all in one sitting.

Alison Glander is a senior at Southern Methodist University majoring in journalism and dance performance with a minor in fashion media. Dancing keeps her fit so she can try bad beers and you don't have to.