Reduce the time to start the beverage filling operation or the time between production. After sterilizing the beverage supply system piping (7) for sending the sterilized beverage from the heat sterilization section (18) into the filling machine (2), the beverage is filled into the sterilized container (4) through the beverage supply system piping. In the beverage filling method for sealing the container, an upstream return path (6a) is formed by providing an upstream return path for the upstream piping section (7a) through the sterilization section of the beverage supply system piping, A downstream return path (6b) is provided to the downstream piping section (7b) from the downstream side to the filling machine from the upstream piping section in the beverage supply system piping to form a downstream circulation path, and an alkaline cleaning liquid Is circulated in the upstream circulation path and in the downstream circulation path to purify and sterilize the beverage supply system piping, and after rinsing with sterile water, filling of the beverage is started.飲料の充填作業に着手するまでの時間又は生産間時間を短縮する。殺菌した飲料を加熱殺菌部（１８）から充填機（２）内へと送る飲料供給系配管（７）について殺菌した後、上記飲料を上記飲料供給系配管を通して殺菌済の容器（４）に充填し、容器を密封する飲料の充填方法において、飲料供給系配管のうち殺菌部を経由する上流側配管部（７ａ）に対し上流側帰還路を設けて上流側循環路（６ａ）を形成し、上記飲料供給系配管のうち上記上流側配管部より下流側から上記充填機内に至る下流側配管部（７ｂ）に対し下流側帰還路（６ｂ）を設けて下流側循環路を形成し、アルカリ性洗浄液を上記上流側循環路内及び上記下流側循環路内で循環させることによって、上記飲料供給系配管内の浄化及び殺菌を行い、次いで無菌水によるリンスを行った後に上記飲料の充填を開始する。
