In the legendary country song “Sixteen Tons,” Tennessee Ernie Ford sings:
“You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store”

Thankfully, instead of going in debt to the local mill to purchase products like toilet paper or talcum powder, Stone Brewing has brought a far sunnier vision of the company store to life near Old Pasadena. Stone Company Store is a series of smaller outposts from the arrogant Escondido-based brewery that started in San Diego and has spread across Southern California to the Del Mar stop on the Metro Gold Line.

In Pasadena, the Stone Brewing Company Store’s industrial feel includes striking steel rebar rods. Chairs made from barrel staves help bring the brewing process full-circle in eco-friendly fashion. 20 Stone beers rotate on tap, including one beer crafted just for this location. Pasadena Special is a tart, floral Berlinerweisse flavored with passion fruit and rose hips. In case you’re wondering, rose hips are rose buds, meaning this craft beer might have you requesting a childhood sled by time you reach the bottom of your glass, “Citizen Kane” style.