Yeast Starter

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Orly? How's this for getting your point across? :p

LOL, my favourite is the implied facepalm, which you really can't do with smileys, in fact most people can't even do it with their own eyebrows... nothing can compare to that withering glare to tell you you've just said/done something monumentally stupid...

But back to starters, a few posts ago, K5MOW asked about using nutrient or energizer in a starter... don't use nutrients, as Akueck pointed out a few posts earlier than that, DAP (active ingredient in most "yeast nutrients") can cause problems with new yeasties and a lot of energizers do contain some percentage of DAP, so I would either follow one of the many staggered nutrient addition schedules or just add them to your must before pitching.
 
I need help!
I will be trying to make a yeast starter from a
"good strong ale"
for my attempt at the 1717.
Do you have any pointers for establishing a hearty yeast starter from ale that's actively fermenting?
 
Uhh.., if you have an actively fermenting ale, then you essentially have a starter. How big is the batch of ale?

I think I'll be working with one bottle of unfinished ale. Should I feed it something? What should I feed it? How can I make it robust and happy?
 
If you have 1 cup (8 fl. oz) of fermenting ale, I would acclimate it to the must I intend to add it to. I would add 8 fluid oz of must, and then when bubbling good, I would add 16 fluid oz of must. When that gets going you will have a 1 quart starter that should be fine for a 5-gallon (or more) batch.
 
If you have 1 cup (8 fl. oz) of fermenting ale, I would acclimate it to the must I intend to add it to. I would add 8 fluid oz of must, and then when bubbling good, I would add 16 fluid oz of must. When that gets going you will have a 1 quart starter that should be fine for a 5-gallon (or more) batch.

This will be a 1gal batch of Thomas Cook (1717) variation.