Alternatives to Spraymalt for Starter

[Burner]

does anyone know if there are any easily available alternatives to spraymalt for making a starter? Would sugar/syrup do a similar job?

[oblivious]

does anyone know if there are any easily available alternatives to spraymalt for making a starter? Would sugar/syrup do a similar job?

In theory yes and no, a true scientific answer

As a high levels of simple sugars will cause the yeast to stop expressing the enzyme they needed to metabolize maltose and other complex sugars produce during mashing.

they can grow in such a in the starter but can run into trouble in the wort, also simple sugars do cont the additional minerals they will require for proper growth

[Oscar Brewer]

The only alternative is liquid malt extract and you'll need to use slightly more to account for the added water. Sugars and sugar based syrups cannot be used as they do not have the necessary nutrients present.

[Burner]

Ah! thanks I'll have to remember to freeze some wort from next brew for this sort of thing.