Brewing a lager problems

[aceuass]

I just started a pilsner on saturday and checked yesterday and FG is the same as OG-details
pitched s-23 at 70f moved to cold room average temp of 50f
(this was an extract from a brew shop)
lifted lid and noticed clumps of whatever floating on top,no bubbles,not sure what the lumps are maybe yeast,anyway I gave a stir(sanitised paddle of course)and proceeded to pitch another s-23,just checked again 24hours later and still the same clumps,could the wort be too cold for the yeast to start at-temp on fermentor is 54f,I decided to move to the warm room 75f,will this kickstart it-this is also in a bucket which brings me to the next puzzle as I brewed another pilsner also on saturday,followed the same routine except for bohemian yeast and the fermentor is the coopers with the sealed twist on lid,this has been bubbling away like mad so no reason for testing-any ideas
Cheers Paul

[mysterio]

Hi aceuass,

What procedure did you use for pitching the s-23 yeast? Did you re-hydrate or sprinkle it straight on?

When fermenting lagers at cool temperatures you need to pitch extra yeast, perhaps 2 or 3 packs. If you're only using one, you did the right thing by pitching slightly warmer then moving to a cooler place. When using this method, the normal practice is to move the beer to a cooler place once you see some activity in the FV. Otherwise, just start it off cool and pitch a lot of yeast.

[aceuass]

Thanks guys
I will let it warm up and see if any change,
As for procedure 1st was hydrated in a cup of warm water than some wort added,the 2nd was sprinkled on top,
I have extra yeast so I could pitch more if it would help.
I guess next time I should stick to liquid yeast.
Cheers Paul

[mysterio]

Dry yeast actually has more yeast per package than liquid, especially if you're rehydrating. I think you'll be alright though.

[Aleman]

The specs for s23 say 80-100g for pitching at 12-15C and up to 200-300g at 9C . . . . Ok thats for 100L so scale back accordingly and its 20-25g at 12-15C and 50 to 75g at 9C
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Any wonder why I want to buy dry lager yeast in 500g packets

[steve_flack]

In 40L of lager I pitch 3 packs of S-189 (about 36g) at around 10C. Seems to work well for me.

[aceuass]

Once again
thanks for the insight.
I moved the beer into my warm closet (70-75f)and pitched a second us-23 left overnight and the airlock is bubbling away-moved back to cold room.
Now lets wait and see
Cheers Paul

[aceuass]

Beer stopped again,no activity,took a look inside and once again lumps floating,stirred up again-nothing,pitched another yeast and moved back to warm room and activity started,I dont really understand why.
Isn`t s-23 a yeast that works in cold temps but for some reason not in my beer,I`m going to leave in the warm now and see what I come up with.The beer with the liquid yeast is still doing fine.
Cheers Paul