What is the food at Albert’s Schloss in Birmingham really like? Here’s our review after a recent visit

The infamous Albert’s Schloss has treated the people of Birmingham to a brand-new array of cocktails, spritzes and food items to celebrate the arrival of summer.

Based just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham Snow Hill train station, the Bavarian venue is a short wander away from one of the central hubs of transportation.

As convenient to get to as it is to delve your tastebuds into the new additions, a relaxed and sophisticated experience awaits. Acoustic live music, plentiful conversation and an endless selection of refreshing beverages make for a jolly evening. Birmingham World was invited to a taster event to review and give the people of the West Midlands an insight into what to expect.

It all began with a prompt welcome drink — the Queen Victorian’s Coconut & Raspberry Martini — and as much of it was meant to be a taster, it ended up making us sample more. The cocktail was a fine way to start the evening as it gave a berry twist to the classic Martini. This was shortly followed by the first of numerous canapé items — the pretzel, a Bavarian staple, which came in a variety of flavours.

Initially, it was the plain and simple — a generous serving that was both salty and soft, while surrounded by a robust coating. Next was the jalapeño and cream cheese variation which wasn’t as spicy as expected, but still provided a welcomed kick. Last but not least was the triple cheese type, rich, chewy and surprisingly well accompanied for our first cocktail.

Away from the pretzels, and something a little more substantial, we were handed two hotdogs — one of which was the renowned Bratwurst. They were of course topped with mustard and onions but also an array of other toppings, including the Haus coleslaw. Both went down very well and we would’ve had another if it wasn’t for us knowing more was to come.

Just as we ordered another drink each, yet more food arrived in the form of bitesize Arancini balls, tempura prawns and chicken strips. Before we could even take a sip into our Pink Grapefruit Punch cocktail, we couldn’t resist but try all of the delicious tasters in front of us. It would be rude not to, after all.

The chicken strips were unusually a bit like an onion bhaji and they provided a strange sensation as a result, but we were all for it. The tempura prawns, meanwhile, were coated in a superb buttery batter and melted in the mouth. But the triple cheese arancini was perhaps our favourite of the three; cheesy goodness in a breadcrumb shell is the best and only way to describe this dish.

Now we’d lined our stomachs somewhat it was time to delve into more of the summer drink options, beginning with the Pink Grapefruit Punch. The title couldn’t be more on point as the beverage certainly packed a punch, providing the tastebuds with both sourness and bitterness but in a well-rounded manner.

Next up were two spritzes – the Cherry + Yuzu and Elderflower + Wild Raspberry – brought to us by a smiling gentleman just as some gentle live music began on the ‘Showtime’ stage. It’s worth noting that drinks are hiked by 70 pence each once the acoustics begin, but the variety of well-performed covers make it easy to understand why.

The spritzes were both incredibly refreshing and certainly were well-suited as post-meal beverages. In the case of the cherry and yuzu variant, it was very sweet and almost dessert-like, while the elderflower and raspberry one was lighter and had subtle hints of lemon. The fizz of the prosecco in both was welcomed.

All in all, it was a lovely evening and one that would suit many occasions. From an after-work social to a birthday or anniversary celebration, the new menu is bound to provide those intrigued with an overwhelming sense of summer happiness.