Who We Are

Charlie and Debbie Tierney opened the doors to Whipsaw Brewing in February of 2016, but the story begins much sooner.

For several years, Charlie and Debbie Tierney dreamt of opening a brewery where they could serve their own beer and be a place for people to spend quality time together.

Charlie had been experimenting with making beer at home since 1996 when he was gifted a Mr. Beer Kit. Sharing those cuts with family and friends fueled the Tierneys’ passion for brewing and making memories.

The couple had talked about opening a brewery for some time and were apprehensive about taking the leap, but they made a deal. If Charlie could create a beer that Debbie enjoyed, as she wasn’t the biggest fan quite yet, then they would open a brewery and sell that beer. That’s how our best-selling Buzz on Blackberry was born.

“Whipsaw” is a logging term for a two-person saw that requires significant teamwork. With 35 years of logging experience, they chose this name to stick to their roots and build a foundation for a strong team.

An image of Debbie and Charlie Tierney, owners of Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, holding two of their best selling beers: Buzz on Blackberry and the Stump Blower India Pale Ale.

When they opened their doors, they had 4 tap options: Buzz on Blackberry, Smashed Blonde, Hoot Owl Stout, and the Stumpblower IPA.

After a successful grand opening, The Tierneys continued to raise the bar. They grew their tap selection from 4 to 13 and now operate a production facility that allows them to sell their beer across Washington state!

A photo of popular Whipsaw Brewing craft beers in cans, available purchase at Ellensburg's favorite brewery. Whipsaw Brewing is located near Central Washington University and the Ellensburg Rodeo, serving Ellensburg local pints since 2016.
An image of Charlie, co-owner of Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a beer. Charlie is a retired logger who is passionate about crafting local beer in Ellensburg.

Charlie Tierney

Charlie is a retired logger of 37 years who loves beer, his family, and Whipsaw Brewing. If it hadn’t been for his love for home brewing and Debbie’s approval, we wouldn’t have any of these fantastic hand-crafted beers today!

Co-Owner, Operator, & Head Janitor

An image of Debbie, co-owner of Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling at the Whipsaw Brewing production facility in Ellensburg, Washington. Whipsaw Brewing is home to locally crafted beer brewed by Ellensburg locals.

Debbie Tierney

Co-Owner & Boss Lady

She considers Whipsaw her second family and believes that family is everything, that’s why she strives to provide the best for Whipsaw in all aspects of the job. She loves the feeling of a day well spent, hates to get dirty, and summer is her favorite season.

The Brew Crew

  • A photo of Caitie, Tap Room Server at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a pounder of locally brewed Whipsaw Hoot Owl Stout beer.

    Caitie

    Tap Room Server

    Hi guys, my name is Caitie and I love working at Whipsaw! I’ve met so many amazing people working here and I love meeting newcomers and seeing regulars every time I’m in the taproom!

    My favorite beer has got to be the Riggin Slinger Red or the Hoot Owl Stout!

  • A photo of Jason, Brewer at Ellensburg's Whipsaw Brewery, smiling in the Whipsaw craft beer production facility.

    Jason

    Brewer

    Jason is the one behind all of our tasty beer! Jason is dedicated to making sure that our product is high-quality so you can enjoy every sip of our beer. He is always putting in hard work and making sure that he is on top of it!

  • A photo of Lexi, Tap Room Server at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a pounder of locally brewed Whipsaw beer.

    Lexi

    Tap Room Server

    Hello! I’m Lexi, and I’ve had the privilege of being a part of the Whipsaw team since October 2023. My experience here has been nothing short of amazing! Beyond serving our exceptional beer, I have immense gratitude for the owners, staff, and community who all create a unique and extraordinarily welcoming environment. Outside of serving beer, I enjoy running, reading, and traveling!

    As for my favorite Whipsaw beer, any of our Sours are a delight!

  • A photo of Nevada, Tap Room Server at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a pounder of locally brewed Whipsaw Buzz on Blackberry beer.

    Nevada

    Tap Room Server

    Hey, I’m Nevada, a local of Ellensburg. I’m all about community and connecting with the people who make this place special. You won’t catch me in the tap room often, but when you do, I promise I won’t disappoint!

    If you’re looking for me in the summer, your best bet is out on the golf course, with a Buzz On Blackberry in hand. 

  • A photo of Nikki, Tap Room Server at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a pounder of locally brewed Whipsaw Stumpblower beer.

    Nikki

    Tap Room Server

    After a rewarding 10-year stint as a full-time mom, I traded in diapers for draft beer and haven’t looked back! I’m now part of an awesome team at Whipsaw Brewing, where I can combine my love of craft beer with my natural talent for making every customer feel like family.

    My all time favorite Whipsaw Beer is the Stumpblower!

  • A photo of Sam, Tap Room Server at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a pounder of locally brewed Whipsaw Smashed Blonde beer.

    Sam

    Tap Room Server

    I’ve been a frequent flyer at Whipsaw from the very beginning, I loved it so much that I asked if I could have a job… and they said yes! I’m grateful to contribute to the vibrant atmosphere we’ve built together.

    My favorite Whipsaw beer is the Smashed Blonde!

  • A photo of Taylor, Tap Room Server at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a pounder of locally brewed Whipsaw Buzz on Blackberry beer.

    Taylor

    Tap Room Server

    My name is Taylor and I have loved Whipsaw since 2017! I have been employed for almost 3 years and have loved being a part of the team.

    My all time favorite beer is the Buzz On Blackberry and their rotating ciders.

  • A photo of Tyler, Brewer's Assistant at Ellensburg's Whipsaw Brewery, smiling in the Whipsaw craft beer production facility.

    Tyler

    Brewer’s Assistant

    Tyler is a Craft Brewing student at CWU and has also served our country! Tyler has a positive attitude and is a huge asset here at Whipsaw!