Selecting Unique Bourbons
Founded by Chris J Hanson, a passionate fly fishing enthusiast, Buttery Brown Bourbon embodies the love for both nature and bourbon, merging craftsmanship with time-honored traditions of fly fishing and bourbon.
Everyone has their reason for fly fishing. For some, fly fishing is simply a peaceful way to spend time outdoors—a relaxing escape. For others, it runs much deeper. For Hanson, it was a lifeline.
He found himself at a crossroads after experiencing a frightening episode of Transient Global Amnesia, a sudden, temporary memory loss triggered by stress, working too much, and migraines. It was a wake-up call—he needed to slow down. To disconnect. To find something that could pull him away from the chaos of work and immerse him in the present moment.
That something was fly fishing. What began as a way to unwind became a transformative experience—an escape that allowed Hanson to get lost in the rhythm of the river and, in many ways, find himself again. As he tells in his award-winning documentary The Day I Disremembered, fly fishing didn’t just help—it may have saved his life.
Years later, inspired by that journey, his love of fly fishing and the beauty of trout and the places it takes him, Hanson had a new idea: a bourbon that pays tribute to it all. Today, that vision lives on in Buttery Brown Bourbon, a collaboration with the renowned World Whiskey Society—a spirit born from the river, crafted in honor of the escape that changed everything.
Meet the Founder
Chris J Hanson grew up in Minneapolis, never imagining that one day he'd be living in a wall tent in -30° weather, racing sled dogs across Alaska, or leading a successful digital marketing agency.
At 16, his family moved to Northern Minnesota, a shift that launched him into a rugged, off-the-grid lifestyle. Chris left school after the eighth grade and embraced life in the woods, sometimes without electricity or running water. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for sled dogs—a passion that would lead to a 12-year journey racing across the Midwest, Canada, and Alaska, including time living in the remote village in Alaska.
At 21, Chris made the decision to pursue a career with the National Park Service. He earned his GED, then enrolled at Vermilion Community College in Ely, MN, where he continued racing sled dogs while excelling in his studies. Despite ongoing challenges with math, he was nominated for the State’s Community College Student Achievement Award. Just one quarter shy of graduation, he chose to follow another opportunity: giving sled-dog rides in Oregon. After a year in Oregon he decided to move back to Minnesota to pursue a career in the Park Service and would land positions with both the National Park Service and a State Park as a Park Ranger, Naturalist.
In 1997, Chris pivoted into the automotive industry, starting in sales and quickly moving into the new world of digital in 2005. He became an Internet Manager, the eCommerce Director for a dealer group, and later served as a Digital Strategist for the Subaru account. In 2011, he founded 3GEngagement, today a powerhouse digital marketing agency made up of 17 extremely talented employees. 3GE partners with a wide range of clients—from small businesses to national brands—including restaurant groups, automotive dealerships, outdoor industry companies, and craft distilleries. The team brings a deep understanding of digital strategy across industries, helping clients grow through smart, data-driven marketing solutions.
Fly Fishing
Chris’s journey into fly fishing began with a birthday gift from his wife—a guided full-day trip. He had never cast a fly rod before, but something clicked immediately. It brought back the same rush he felt on his very first sled-dog run: This is what I’m meant to do.
Within a week, he had his own rod and reel and dove headfirst into the sport. Since then, fly fishing has become more than a hobby—it’s a passion, a weekly pursuit, and another way for Chris to connect with nature, adventure, and the untamed spirit that has always driven him.
