Bubble cascade in Guinness beer is caused by gravity current instability

The downward movement of the bubble-texture in a glass of Guinness beer is a fascinating fluid flow driven by the buoyant force of a large number of small-diameter bubbles. This texture motion is a frequently observed phenomenon on pub tables. The physical mechanism of the texture-formation has been discussed previously, but inconsistencies exist between these studies. We performed experiments on the bubble distribution in Guinness poured in an inclined container, and observed how the texture forms. We also report the texture-formation in controllable experiments using particle suspensions with precisely specified diameters and volume-concentrations. Our specific measurement methods based on laser-induced-fluorescence provide details of the spatio-temporal profile of the liquid phase velocity. The hydrodynamic condition for the texture-formation is analogous to the critical point of the roll-wave instability in a fluid film, which can be commonly observed in water films sliding downhill on a rainy day. Here, we identify the critical condition for the texture-formation and conclude that the roll-wave instability of the gravity current is responsible for the texture-formation in a glass of Guinness beer.