A sampling system for collecting a fluid sample from an enclosed container, the system comprising: a sanitizing fluid inlet valve; a gas inlet valve; a sample collection valve coupled to the enclosed container operable between an open position and a closed position; a first outlet valve and optionally a second outlet valve being located downstream of the first outlet valve, wherein said first outlet valve is operable between an open position and a closed position; a variable volume reservoir upstream of the first outlet valve; and a fluid flow path interconnecting the sanitizing fluid inlet valve, the gas inlet valve, the sample collection valve, the first outlet valve, and the variable volume reservoir, wherein the sanitizing fluid inlet valve is positioned upstream of the sample collection valve, and wherein: when the sanitizing fluid inlet valve and the gas inlet valve are oriented to restrict flow of the sanitizing fluid and gas through the respective valves (114,116) and the first outlet valve is in the closed position, the sample collection valve can be in the open position to withdraw a sample from the enclosed container into the reservoir along a first portion of the fluid flow path; when the sanitizing fluid inlet valve and the gas inlet valve are oriented to restrict flow of the sanitizing fluid and gas through the respective valves (114,116) and the sample collection valve is in the closed position, the sample can be discharged from the reservoir along a second portion of the fluid flow path through the first outlet valve; when the sanitizing fluid inlet valve is oriented to permit flow of the sanitizing fluid through the sanitizing fluid inlet valve, the gas inlet valve is oriented to restrict flow of the gas through the gas inlet valve, and the sample collection valve is in the closed position, a sanitizing fluid can be introduced into the fluid flow path through the sanitizing fluid inlet valve to sanitize at least the first portion of the fluid flow path; and the reservoir comprises a pump that is configured to draw the sample into the reservoir through a reservoir inlet and direct the sample out of the reservoir through a reservoir outlet. a sanitizing fluid inlet valve; a gas inlet valve; a sample collection valve coupled to the enclosed container operable between an open position and a closed position; a first outlet valve and optionally a second outlet valve being located downstream of the first outlet valve, wherein said first outlet valve is operable between an open position and a closed position; a variable volume reservoir upstream of the first outlet valve; and a fluid flow path interconnecting the sanitizing fluid inlet valve, the gas inlet valve, the sample collection valve, the first outlet valve, and the variable volume reservoir, wherein the sanitizing fluid inlet valve is positioned upstream of the sample collection valve, and wherein: when the sanitizing fluid inlet valve and the gas inlet valve are oriented to restrict flow of the sanitizing fluid and gas through the respective valves (114,116) and the first outlet valve is in the closed position, the sample collection valve can be in the open position to withdraw a sample from the enclosed container into the reservoir along a first portion of the fluid flow path; when the sanitizing fluid inlet valve and the gas inlet valve are oriented to restrict flow of the sanitizing fluid and gas through the respective valves (114,116) and the sample collection valve is in the closed position, the sample can be discharged from the reservoir along a second portion of the fluid flow path through the first outlet valve; when the sanitizing fluid inlet valve is oriented to permit flow of the sanitizing fluid through the sanitizing fluid inlet valve, the gas inlet valve is oriented to restrict flow of the gas through the gas inlet valve, and the sample collection valve is in the closed position, a sanitizing fluid can be introduced into the fluid flow path through the sanitizing fluid inlet valve to sanitize at least the first portion of the fluid flow path; and the reservoir comprises a pump that is configured to draw the sample into the reservoir through a reservoir inlet and direct the sample out of the reservoir through a reservoir outlet.