Primary - Aging Question

[thebigbaker]

I've only done one beer (last year's winter warmer) which I transferred to a secondary fermenter and let sit for for an extended period of time (6 mos).  I'm currently fermenting a Belgian Dubbel and planning to leave it in the fermenter for 2-3 months before kegging.  My question is, would it be OK to just leave it in the primary fermenter for 2-3 months or should I transfer to a secondary fermenter after a month and let sit another 1-2 months?  I'm not adding anything to the beer post fermentation if that makes any difference.  Thanks!

[klickitat jim]

I'd get it off the yeast if I was going to age it. And I would age in the bottle personally

[thebigbaker]

That's what I'm thinking, but if it is OK to leave in primary I'll do that.  I plan on kegging to get a good carbonation on it and then bottling half using my Blichmann Beer Gun.

[klickitat jim]

Age in keg. I'd be worried about yeast dying and rupturing (Autolysis) and destroying your great beer.

[thebigbaker]

Oh, I didn't think of that!  I'll do that, transfer to keg, put some CO2 to purge out the O2 and let sit in my basement for a month or two.  Then connect it up in the fridge and carbonate it.  Thanks!

[klickitat jim]

No problem glad to help. There are experts here that can go much deeper on the subject. Good luck. Wish I had your patience

[reverseapachemaster]

You will not have an autolysis problem after 2-3 months.

[thebigbaker]

You will not have an autolysis problem after 2-3 months.

Thanks, I was wondering how long it takes to start worrying about autolysis.  I keg most of my beers after 4-6 weeks in primary.  If it is OK to just leave it for 2 months, then I'll do that and keg it. 

I'll be brewing my winter warmer soon and will age that till December.  Unlike last year when I aged in a secondary carboy, I'll take Jim's suggestion and age it in a keg (this gives me an excuse to get more kegs!)