Convivio
Falling Knife Brewing Company

just my third beer ever from these guys, this one an italian pils in collaboration with maplewood, nice! really cool art on the can, solid liquid inside of it, some substance to this, even more than we often get from the italian barley malt on its own, not sure whats all in this from a recipe standpoint, but i like its boldness on the grain side for sure, fits the winter weather just fine and remains plenty drinkable to me, a good spot for the style to be in my opinion. looks pretty good in the glass, sunny blonde colored brew with nice clarity and an impressively tall and airy white head on it, nice retention, real active which is ideal for the style. smells quite hoppy, unique in this regard too, most of these are hoppy, but this one has some cool nuance to the profile, jasmine, elderflower, white wine grapes, even sort of a ricey thing to me, hearty and warm, springy on the hops, bitter too, not quite peak freshness but not oxidized or anything, recognizable as an italian pils to my nose for sure. the flavor is robust too, grassy and limey on the hops, with an earlier start than many, but its balanced as well, some light nuttiness to the grain, earthy character, clay-like minerality, breadiness, cool texture too, fluffy body almost wheat-esque on the palate. bitterness is mid level, the grain falls off a little at the end, the lager yeast is clean and mellow, less old worldy to me, but appropriate with all that is going on here, lightly doughy, unifying, simple. frothy and creamy and whipped and bubbly, off dry, drinkable and good, nice take on the style overall. love to see italian pils taking off!

16 oz can pkgd Oct 8 2025 into a pokal.
L: Pours 99% clear with a thin soapy white head, steady large carbo bubbles, thin whispy lacing.
S: Lightly herbal, a note of bread dough.
T: Light fruit, yeast, caramelized malts, a bready note, gently tart citrus, has a pear and bready aftertaste.
F: Crisp, fast, and fairly dry.
O: This is a really tasty and easy drinking Italian American Pilsner. It is excellent in its style.

Appearance: Pours a completely clear, light pale yellow color with a moderate white head. SRM of 7. (4.00)

Aroma: Strong aromas of lemon citrus, lemon flower, with pale bread and cracker malts. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong flavors of lemon citrus, lemon flour, pale bread and cracker malts. Lemonflower to finish. (4.25)

Feel: Medium body strong carbonation by bitterness with lemonflower lingering. (4.00)

Compared to BlackStack Fugazi 7/2023: Pours lighter, stronger head. Stronger aromas. More lemonflower. Less bread malts and yeast. More citrusy and floral.

Compared to Falling Knife Freudenfreude 7/2023: Pours lighter, similar head. Milder aromas. More lemonzest, flower, dry grains and yeast. Less sweet lemon and honey. Dryer, cleaner. More bitter.

Compared to Surly Hell 6/2024: Pours darker, milder aromas. Less floral notes. More sweet lemon. Sweeter.'

Compared to Falling Knife Convivio 7/24: Pours lighter. Stronger aromas. Less smooth bread malts. More sweet lemon. Similar sweetness, but more hoppy and less smooth malts.

Overall. Cool collab with Maplewood in Chicago, who can make some good beer. Showcases the dry-hopping nicely. It's lemony, citrusy, and floral. Excellent hoppy Italian Pils. (Rating: 4.15)

 

 

From a 16oz can:

Appearance: Yellow with lots of particles in suspension, good head.

Smell: Grassy, slight skunk note.

Taste: Lightly sweet, cracker-like malt, big grassy hop note, and a dry finish.

Overall: A very nice hoppy pilsner which is a collab between a local MN brewer and Maplewood. Prima pils was the original hoppy pils for me at least, and I'm always looking for a good one from a local. Good stuff.

From a tallboy into a tulip, pours a hazy unfiltered dandelion, with a thick 1 1/2 finger of bone white head. Nose is wet biscuit, grassy hops, a little lemongrass. Taste matches the nose, though the malt is more substantial than I expected, and there’s a hint of tart lemon to go with the grassy notes. Body and carb is medium, fairly dry on the finish, moderate bitterness (maybe a little rind).

 

16oz can. Poured out a clear, golden yellow color with a small, white head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass. It smelled of biscuity malt, toffee, floral notes and caramel. Sweet bready taste with crackers, caramel and a mild bitterness.

Can. White head. Lace. Clear straw gold.

Light, refreshing, smooth, faint bitterness, grassy, biscuit, toasted crackers.

Smooth. Easy drinking. Flavorful. Very nice pils.

Pours a clear lemon yellow color with a thin and fresh white head. Smell has citrus ,lemon baked bread ,lime . Taste has citrus ,lemon/lime some pine/grapefruit rind. Mouth crisp but soft with medium carbonation, hoppy citrus finishes dry.