Note: the following is an unbiased review of a product I purchased myself. This is not a sponsored review.
The experience of bottling beer can be greatly impacted by the equipment used in the process. It can be frustrating and messy, or organized and clean.
Northern Brewer strives for the latter with a simple product called the Bottling Station.
The Bottling Station is designed to house all of your bottling essentials in a convenient plastic bin. It includes two (2) removable storage containers, which can be used to hold bottle caps in sanitizer, or other essentials such as flavorings. The kit also comes with a non-slip base and a cylinder that sits in the middle to hold bottles as they're being filled.
Ease of Use: 5/5
With only nine total pieces, the Bottling Station is simple to use and simple to clean. The base is non-slip and contains elevated channels to collect any spilled beer. This also makes it easy to dry as there is plenty of air flow.
The unit is compact -- just big enough to hold the two storage containers and a wing capper (not included). The storage containers have individual silicone lids which are a nice touch and help prevent spillage if you need to move the kit around once filled with sanitizer.
Quality: 5/5
It is very simple, but that doesn't mean that it isn't well made. As mentioned above, the design of the red base allows for easy drying. A small hole on the top right wall also allows for air flow into the container, even with the lid on. The non-slip base and center cylinder do a good job of holding a bottle in place when capping with a wing capper.
The materials are plastic and silicone, which look nice in red and white tones. They are sturdy and very easy to clean.
Effectiveness: 5/5
When not in use, the Bottling Station is designed to be storage for your capper and caps. When bottling, it allows for any mess to be easily contained and then rinsed away.
Cost: 4/5
As of the writing of this review, the Bottling Station retails for $23.99, but can be found on sale for under $10.00. An upgraded kit can be purchased for $40.99, which also includes a capper, a spring tip bottle filler, and 120 red caps.
If purchased on sale, the station is a steal for the storage and utility it offers. At regular price, it still offers a reasonably-priced solution for mess containment.
Overall: 5/5
This is one of the simplest pieces of homebrew gear I own, but also one of my favorites. My home brewery does not have a utility sink, so I appreciate the convenience of being able to easily carry any bottling mess to the kitchen and rinse it down the drain.
It is easy to clean, dries well, and doubles as a storage container when not in use. If you bottle beer and don't use a bench top capper, this is an excellent and inexpensive addition to a home brewery.
Video of the Bottling Station in action, along with the WilliamsWarn BrewBottler:
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