Derek Brown — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Founder of Drink Company (2009), Mindful Drinking Fest (2021), and Positive Damage, Inc. (2022).
Author of "Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World" (2020 Author of the Year) and "Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No‑ and Low‑Alcohol Cocktails" (2022).
Owner of Washington, D.C. bars including Columbia Room, awarded “Best American Cocktail Bar” at the 2017 Spirited Awards.
Named Imbibe’s “Bartender of the Year” (2015) and inducted into the Sans Bar Non‑Alcoholic Hall of Fame (2025).
Formerly hosted The Mindful Drinking Podcast on the NASM Podcast Network.
Selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar in 2025.
Distinguished Fellow at Catholic University's Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship.

Biography

Derek Brown is a beverage expert and pioneer in mindful drinking, currently serving as President of Drink Company and co-founder of Mindful Drinking Fest. Through these ventures, he works to expand the cultural conversation around alcohol and design inclusive, intentional hospitality experiences. His background includes being named Imbibe’s “Bartender of the Year” in 2015 and owning Washington, D.

C.’s Columbia Room, which received “Best American Cocktail Bar” at the 2017 Spirited Awards.