El Garage re-opens in Armistice’s downtown Napa taproom

After a temporary closure to repair the fire suppression system in the kitchen, El Garage recently made its return to downtown Napa’s food scene, according to a news release.

El Garage and Armistice are located at 1040 Clinton St.

The closure, which went into effect right before planned events for San Francisco Beer Week, was a devastating blow to Armistice, El Garage, and to their many new regulars who came to love the collaboration, said the release. 

“We were so bummed to have to close just as we were picking up speed in the neighborhood,” said El Garage co-founder Viviana Montano.

The Montano family, who started El Garage as a Richmond pop-up, have been slinging their famous quesabirria tacos in the space since November, said the release. 

“It really hurt when we had to close the kitchen. We’ve been collaborating with the Montano’s since we first opened and hired Viviana to work the taproom,” said Armistice co-founder Alex Zobel.

“Since opening El Garage with her family, they’ve been frequent accomplices in events we’ve done in Richmond, so it just made sense to have them join us up here in Napa. We’re both small, family-owned businesses, and nothing pairs better than beer and tacos.”

The re-opening came with some fun changes as well. El Garage and Armistice will collaborate on a Michelada that features the Montano family’s Michelada mix recipe, Armistice’s Rich City Pils, and a whole lot of chamoy and tajin on the rim.

“We’re also stoked to bring back Taco Tuesday,” says Armistice co-founder (and Alex’s brother) Gregory Zobel. Taco Tuesday features select tacos and brews at $2 off all day, and it’s second only to Armistice’s $6 Monday deal as the best deal in town.

Armistice continues to serve fresh craft beer alongside a small wine program featuring small, value-driven French and Italian producers with a focus on sustainability, said the release. 

Armistice Brewing Company was founded by siblings Alex and Gregory Zobel, who got their start homebrewing in Napa. They opened their brewery in Richmond’s Marina Bay neighborhood in 2017.

"The brewery is dedicated to the idea that beer (in the right quantities) and public spaces can bring people together, as it did for Alex and Gregory," said the release. 

Brewing beer together became an “armistice” for the two sibling/rivals after their mother’s health took a turn. Now they’re brewing beer with a sharp focus on the freshest, best ingredients possible using their small brewing system.

Info: Armisticebrewing.com, @armisticebeer