Paul,
What did you end up doing? I may be in this situation soon....
Dave
wow. speak of the devil. was just looking up this thread to post what I did.
couldn't quite do what sean recommended, though I think that is the way to go.
but...on the morning of the 24th, i made a 1L starter with 2-3TBL of slurry. let that stir for all of Wednesday and by Thursday night it was clearly done. Crashed it, which thankfully didn't take long - small starter and being that it was 007 - tasted the wort - it was very, very fruity and had some strong esters but what to expect with english ale at 74-76df, right?
Then on Friday I made a 4.5L starter, pitched into that and let it go Friday through Saturday afternoon, at which time the krausen started falling and the swirling appeared clumpy, so i figured it might not be ideal, but I crashed it at that point. Brewed the black IPA on Sunday. at about 9pm last night, there was a HUGE layer on the bottom of the flask, although it was still partially cloudy, but i poured off the spent beer, aerated and pitched at 60df.
as of this morning, full krausen and thumping away.