Belgian dark strong ale aging

[larkinnm1]

Making a winter belgian dark strong ale, 11%, and would like to know how others have aged. I've read 1 month primary then a few months secondary then a few months bottled. Ideally I skip the long secondary since I only have two carboys. Only difference is carbonation so I think I can go right from primary to bottled and open them next winter. Anyone see problems with skipping secondary?

 

[m00ps]

That sounds about right. Strongest I've done was 10.5%. Fermented 3 weeks. Drinkable at 14 days in the bottle but it got great after 3 months

 

[m00ps]

Never secondary a beer unless you are adding a ton of foreign matter or souring it. Just get the thought out if your head. The consensus is that its no longer necessary

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

My last BDSA was 6 weeks in primary only. It was also only 9%. If it was higher I would have given it a good 2 months. It really hit its stride at about 9 months from bottling. Took a good 6 weeks to carbonate.