Method of initiating acetic fermentation under industrial conditions

A method of initiating acetic fermentation in a production fermenter comprising the steps:

• a) culturing a starter culture in a pilot fermenter, wherein said pilot fermenter has a volume of about 1-3% of the working volume of the production fermenter, and wherein said starter culture is a liquid that contains an acetic acid fermentation bacteria, a concentration of ethanol, and a concentration of acetic acid;
• b) continuously transferring the starter culture from the pilot fermenter to the production fermenter and wherein the production fermenter contains a fluid comprising acetic acid, water, and ethanol, whereby the continuous transfer of the starter culture to the production fermenter continuously inoculates the fluid contained within the production fermenter with acetic fermentation bacteria, such that acetic fermentation initiates within the fluid in the production fermenter.