Keg for future use: Carbonate now or Later?

I'm going to transfer into a keg in a few weeks but I don't plan to enjoy this beer until next month for a little house winter party. A few questions that have probably been asked before, so I apologize in advance:

1) I have the option to keep this keg cold, or not ( maybe as high at 60f).
2) Should I carbonate the keg
a). immediately, disconnect and store, or
b). carbonate a week before use, leaving the beer kegged and resting until then?
3) Does the option change depending on if the beer is kept cool or not?

Thanks for your help.

Carb it cold, and for 2+ weeks. Or preferably until next month. The cold storage should improve your beer, and carbing now will give the co2 enough time to absorb completely into your beer.

Unless you need the space?

aspiffymofo said:

Carb it cold, and for 2+ weeks. Or preferably until next month. The cold storage should improve your beer, and carbing now will give the co2 enough time to absorb completely into your beer.

Unless you need the space?

Click to expand...

I MIGHT need the space for a 10 gal lager project this winter...

So you're saying carb it, disconnect, and store cold?

Or cask condition it...

Boil and add bottling sugar and water for desired carbonation level to keg. (about 2/3rds that you'd use for bottling) Rack beer on top of it. Purge and seal the keg, store at room temp, should have carbonation in a few weeks.

https://byo.com/stories/item/594-enjoy-the-real-thing-cask-conditioned-ale

What style of beer is it? Most beers will benefit from cold storage, but not all. Especially if it is a higher ABV beer, it may be better off sitting at room temp to age it faster.

As far as the carbonation, it doesn't really matter if you carb it before or after, so just do whichever is more convenient.

You could carb it warm, I don't think it really matters. That would just be my preference. Cold liquids just absorb co2 more rapidly than warm. And If it's for a party I don't think I'd want to risk not having enough time to carb up.