7 pumpkin beers to try this fall around St. Louis

As the fall season is nearing full swing, many beloved aspects of autumn are starting to show themselves. Colder weather and colored leaves are moving in, pushing out the unbearable heat, and bringing in comfortable clothing, comforting food and football. The visually warm and pleasant colors of red, orange and brown are starting to paint themselves on more than just the leaves. Pumpkin beer, love it or hate it, is back and better than ever. The polarizing spiced beer has been a topic of debate for years. We are past the days of downing light beers in the warm weather and shifting to slow-sipping beers with more depth of flavor. Here are 7 pumpkin beers around the St. Louis area that will change your mind (or your annoying friends). While you can get most of these at the brewery's taproom, we've also included a few retail spots to purchase them.

Pumpkin Ale // Schlafly Beer 
One of the most desired pumpkin beers in the city, Schlafy’s Pumpkin Ale is an 8% bottle that tastes like a slice of pie. With notes of caramel and ginger, this ale is fermented in pounds of fresh pumpkin squash before being filtered through a spiced infusion of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. It pairs perfectly with butternut squash ravioli, cranberry goat cheese and cheesecake. Available at the brewery and local retailers. Six-pack: $11. Schnucks, multiple locations, schnucks.com

Pumpkin Beer // Good News Brewing Co.
This Good News Brewing Co. Pumpkin Beer is a light, crisp 5.6% ale made with real pumpkin and pumpkin spices. Offered at their locations in O’Fallon, Defiance, Augusta and St. Charles, this ale can be served in a variety of sizes from a 4-ounce sampler to a 64-ounce growler. 16-ounce draft: $6.75. Multiple locations, goodnewsbrewing.com

Silver Shamrock // Two Plumbers Brewery
The Silver Shamrock is a 6.4% pumpkin ale brought to you by Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade. Enjoy this beer with a variety of arcade games as well as an extensive list of other seasonal brews. 16-ounce draft: $7. 2236 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles, 636.224.8626. twoplumbers.com

Dancing with the Pumpkin King // Bluewood Brewing 
Dancing with the Pumpkin King is a 7.5% pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spices. The ale also has hints of vanilla and graham crackers and is the ideal beer for a football game, bonfire or any Halloween festivities. Available at the brewery and local retailers. Four-pack: $11. Wine and Cheese Place, 195 Lamp & Lantern Village, Town and Country, 314.447.9463, wineandcheeseplace.com

‘When Pumpkins Fly’ Spiced Pumpkin Pie Golden Ale // 2nd Shift Brewing 
Ten years ago, 2nd Shift Brewing said they would never make a pumpkin-spiced beer. However, like the leaves in the fall, things change. This golden ale is brewed with honey malt, pumpkin, vanilla beans, ground nutmeg, ginger root and cinnamon. “When Pumpkins Fly” Spiced Pumpkin Pie Golden Ale is a 6.5% brew with pumpkin spice notes and a golden ale base. Four-pack: $13. 1601 Sublette Ave., St. Louis, 314.669.9013, 2ndshiftbrewing.com

Spiced Pumpkin Ale // Square One Brewery & Distillery
This 5.5% ale was first brewed by Dr. John Witte while he was working as the head brewer at Trailhead Brewing Co. The Spiced Pumpkin Ale was created using a specific process of generating a nutmeg and cinnamon tea to add to the finished beer, giving a consistent spiced flavor and aroma in every batch. 16-ounce draft: $6.1727 Park Ave., St. Louis, 314.231.2537, squareonebrewery.com

Pumpkin Beer/Pumpkin Pack // O’Fallon Brewery 
Known as the most popular seasonal beer from O’Fallon Brewery, this 5.6-percent pumpkin beer is seasoned with fresh cinnamon, nutmeg and clove to give it the classic “pumpkin pie in a bottle” taste. Since developing this beer over 15 years ago, the O’Fallon Brewery has developed a Pumpkin Variety Pack filled with their special line of pumpkin beers. Beers in this seasonal pack include the O’Fallon pumpkin beer, a pumpkin seed Oktoberfest, a pumpkin cheesecake and a chai pumpkin porter. They also offer a vanilla pumpkin beer and a salted Caramel pumpkin beer available for singular purchase. Available at the brewery and local retailers. Six-pack: $9. Total Wine, multiple locations, totalwine.com