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

    Nikki

    Tap Room Manager

    After a rewarding 10-year stint as a full-time mom, Nikki traded in diapers for draft beer—and hasn’t looked back! What started as a job serving beer quickly grew into something much more. Today, she’s proud to be the Taproom Manager at Whipsaw Brewing, where she leads an amazing team, creates memorable events, connects with the community, and helps make Whipsaw feel like home for everyone who walks through the door.

    Her all-time favorite Whipsaw beer is still the Stumpblower!

  • A photo of Jaelin, Tap Room Lead at Whipsaw Brewing in Ellensburg, Washington, smiling with a mug of locally brewed Whipsaw Smashed Blonde Stumpblower beer.

    Jaelin

    Tap Room Server

    Jaelin has called Ellensburg home since 2016, just like Whipsaw! After working as an elementary teacher for several years, she was ready for a career change that would allow her to spend more time with her growing family. Getting to know the regulars is what makes this job really special to her!

    She loves several of Whipsaw’s beers, but her go-to is the Buzz on Blackberry! 

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

    Taylor

    Tap Room Server

    Taylor has loved Whipsaw since 2017 and has been part of the Whipsaw team for five years, making her the longest-serving server on the team! She’s a true ray of sunshine in the taproom and has a knack for making customers feel welcome, comfortable, and right at home. Her friendly personality and genuine love for connecting with people are a big part of what makes her such a valued member of the Whipsaw family.

    Her all-time favorite is the Buzz on Blackberry, along with Whipsaw’s rotating ciders!

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

    Bailie

    Tap Room Server

    Bailie brings great energy to the taproom! She’s always ready with a smile, a great attitude, and a friendly welcome for every customer who walks through the door. She has a knack for making people feel comfortable and welcome, and she’s a fun part of the Whipsaw team. When she’s not hanging out at the taproom, there’s a good chance you’ll find Bailie with a dog nearby—because if there’s one thing she loves almost as much as Whipsaw, it’s dogs!

    Her favorite drink on tap is the Smashed Blonde with a splash of Buzz on Blackberry—a combination that’s as fun as she is!