Double Mountain is a relative newcomer to the scene, founded in 2007 by former co-workers at Full Sail.  Based in Hood River, they sell mostly on tap but can be found in bottles at your local store, as well.

Signature Beers: Kölsch, Vaporizer, Hop Lava

I enjoy the smooth kölsch, and the Vaporizer is a milder pale ale.  Most of their other beers tend toward the hoppy, but I enjoyed a dark beer (I forget which one) at their home brewpub in Hood River.  I think the lady had a Goliathon, which was an excellent Belgian style.

An interesting feature is that all their beers start with the same Pilsner malt from Gambrinus in B.C.  Like many other brewers, they maintain their own yeast strains, but occasionally use others.

Inspired by military award decoration, this product takes the place of the standard suit pocket square.  Consists of a backing panel placed in a suit or shirt breast pocket, with a series of colored vertical ribbons attached to the front, descending just below the pocket top edge.

Ribbons would be sold separately as personalized add-ons that recognize and benefit causes that the wearer believes in, from cancer research to animal welfare, in the theme of the colored looped ribbons traditionally warn for awareness campaigns.  This not only elevates it to a fashion statement, but contributes to multiple causes while combining the spectrum of social causes that represent one’s personality.

Possible additional features:

• a printed “calling” card and smartphone app to share the wearer’s supported causes
• web store would offer ribbons for a variety of charities, and let you create a page showing your values, which ties in to social networking systems (and maybe online dating?)
• watchband, necktie, or smartphone/tablet cases as alternative products to display the ribbon set

Some songs we consider Christmas songs don’t actually mention Christmas (or Santa or anything specific to that holiday).  Maybe the FCC could authorize and prescribe playing them before thanksgiving and between Christmas and New Year’s?  Cold Turkey is a bitch.

• Deck the Halls (mentions “Yuletide”)
• Sleigh Ride
• Let it Snow
• Jingle Bells (I know!)

The only problem is that there aren’t very many; that’s all I could come up with.

Usually it’s a one-hit-wonder thing, but I started noticing an odd 80’s phenomenon of bands that released songs that matched the band name.  Seems like a really bad idea.

• Talk Talk
• Bad Company
• Wang Chung
• Big Country

Let me know if you think of any more, 80’s or otherwise.