I'm going on a trip. Should I bottle my quad before or after?

[deadwolfbones]

Here's the situation:

I brewed a Belgian quad/dark strong on Sunday (8/12). It's already nearly fermented out today (8/16). I leave for a two-week trip on 9/1. That would be a little under 3 weeks from the brew day.

As I see it, I have three options:

1. Bottle the beer before I leave, at around 3 weeks.
2. Leave it in primary while I'm away and bottle when I return, which would be around 5 weeks.
3. Transfer to secondary and bottle when I return. 3 weeks in primary, 2 weeks in secondary.

Some things to note:

-Fermenter volume is a bit under 3.5 gals and I have a 3.5 gal SS BrewBucket, so if I did a secondary I could keep O2 exposure to a minimum.
-I don't have temp control beyond wet towels, and there will be no one around to change them while I'm gone. Ambient is around 68-70F where the fermenter is (coolest room in the house).

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

5 weeks in primary would be my vote. Won't hurt anything and will ensure total and complete fermentation.

 

[aprichman]

When in doubt, age it out.

 

[deadwolfbones]

I have to admit I'm a little worried about yeast autolysis at 5 weeks in primary. It's going to be 11%+.

 

[RPh_Guy]

Other: Cancel the trip. Fermenting beer is the top priority.

 

[Gnomebrewer]

Bottle it or age it - don't transfer to secondary. Yeast autolysis won't happen in 5 weeks, but it's also fine to bottle at 2 to 3 weeks (it'll continue to age in the bottle). I'd personally bottle before leaving so I didn't have to do it as soon as I got home. Bottling earlier might mean a bit more sediment in the bottles.

 

[GaBrewZoo]

With a big beer like that, I would let it sit.

 

[madscientist451]

Don't worry about it. Bottle it when you get back or you can even let it sit a while after that.

 

[deadwolfbones]

Thanks, all!

 

[filthyastronaut]

I'd bottle it and let it age in the bottles. If it's already nearly done, it'll be fermented out in 2 weeks.

That being said, letting it sit certainly wouldn't hurt.

 

[tellyho]

I've left my quads for 2 months in primary. No noticeable off-flavors. I'd leave it.

 

[jturman35]

My vote, let it sit in the fermenter and bottle when you get home. Bigger beers get better with age!