Bottling line

[2][3][4][5] Bottling lines usually include label application equipment, capping operations, date stamps, etc.

Many smaller breweries send their bulk beer to large facilities for contract bottling—though some will bottle by hand.

The bottle then enters a "filler" which fills the bottle with beer and may also inject a small amount of inert gas (usually carbon dioxide or nitrogen) on top of the beer to disperse the oxygen, as oxygen can ruin the quality of the product via oxidation.

Whilst this is happening, the corker vacuums the air out of the bottle to form a negative pressure headspace.

Champagnes and sparkling wines may further be sealed with a muselet, which ensures the cork will not explode off in transit.

After filling and corking, a plastic or tin capsule is applied to the neck of the bottle in a capsular.