Harpoon Brewery and L.L.Bean Celebrate Fall With ‘Flannel Friday’ Beer Collaboration

Harpoon Brewery and L.L.Bean are teaming up to celebrate the return of Flannel Friday – a seasonal beer inspired by New England’s fall traditions and outdoor culture. The collaboration brings back the popular hoppy amber ale with refreshed packaging and a limited-edition flannel release. The brands are also inviting fans to enjoy special events and experiences built around the spirit of autumn.

And according to a press release from Harpoon Brewery and L.L.Bean, this year, the duo have got their own apparel to go with the beer: a limited-edition “Harpoon x L.L.Bean” scotch plaid flannel shirt that matches the pattern on the beer packaging.

Now in its 10th year, Flannel Friday has grown from Harpoon employees’ weekly autumnal apparel choice into an annual fall tradition enjoyed by craft beer lovers throughout the Northeast. In collaboration with L.L.Bean, this year’s Flannel Friday release features a refreshed packaging design inspired by the outdoor lifestyle brand’s iconic Bean of Freeport flannel, a fall wardrobe staple celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026. Combined with Harpoon’s 40th anniversary this year, Flannel Friday represents 130 collective years of New England craftsmanship and a commitment to bringing communities together outside.

Brewed to complement everything from epic hikes to chill weekends to tailgates, Flannel Friday is a balanced, crisp, and easy-drinking 5.7% ABV hoppy amber ale that embodies the spirit of the season. Falling between a Brown Ale and a Red IPA, Flannel Friday combines American hops with the subtle tasting notes of roasted caramel and toffee from Maine-grown malt.

“Flannel Friday has become one of the beers our customers look forward to the most every year because it captures what fall in this region is all about,” said Dan Kenary, Co-Founder and President of Barrel One Collective. “A decade ago, we wanted to offer our unique take on what a fall beer should be with our seasonal release – but now, with our good friends at L.L.Bean, we’re building on that tradition in a totally new way that I think any fan of fall  would love.”

Inspired by Harpoon and L.L.Bean’s shared belief that life’s best moments happen outside, this year’s collaboration extends beyond the beer itself. In addition to the return of Flannel Friday, the brands are introducing a limited-edition “Harpoon x L.L.Bean” scotch plaid flannel shirt that matches the same Bean of Freeport pattern featured on the packaging. Available in limited quantities across all three of Harpoon’s breweries (Boston, MA; Windsor, VT; Manchester, NH), the exclusive apparel gives consumers a new way to embrace the season and get outside in style.

“Flannel Friday has become a fun and authentic physical manifestation of the outdoor lifestyle, encouraging everyone to gather friends and get outside,” said Nick Wilkoff, Chief Marketing Officer at L.L.Bean. “This partnership honors anyone who strives to ‘be an outsider’ and celebrates the traditions that connect us.”

To help fans create their own outdoor memories, today, Harpoon and L.L.Bean are also launching a sweepstakes featuring the ultimate Maine experience. Between now and October 15, those who live in an eligible state can enter for the chance to win a trip for two to join the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery program, including a two-day/one-night Maine island kayak camping excursion (minimum age to enter/participate: 21+), along with a $2,000 shopping spree at L.L.Bean’s newly reimagined flagship store in Freeport, Maine. Find more details and enter to win at harpoonbrewery.com/LLBEAN-SWEEPSTAKES.

The season’s celebrations will continue Labor Day weekend when Harpoon and L.L.Bean host a Flannel Friday launch party at Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT on Saturday, September 5. The event will bring people together to enjoy the beer, get access to limited merchandise and SWAG, and kick off the fall season with fellow adventurers, flannel and craft beer fans, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Available in multiple package formats and on draft, Flannel Friday will begin arriving on shelves in August at retailers like Walmart and Wegmans and throughout Harpoon’s East Coast distribution footprint, while supplies last.

To learn more about Flannel Friday, sweepstakes details, and launch event information, visit harpoonbrewery.com.

About Harpoon Brewery

Founded in 1986, Harpoon Brewery was the first craft brewery to open in Boston and one of the first in New England. Harpoon’s mission has always been to build community through great beer and shared experiences. Harpoon IPA, first introduced in 1993, remains a cornerstone of New England craft brewing – a testament to quality, consistency, and the spirit of Boston. Since then, Harpoon Brewery has expanded beyond its home base in the Seaport District in Boston, with locations in Windsor, VT, Manchester, NH, a Boston Common Summer Pop-Up, and Logan Airport. Harpoon’s line of craft beer features its award-winning IPA and seasonal beers, along with special limited releases. Learn more and find Harpoon near you at https://harpoonbrewery.com/.

About L.L. Bean

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013.

While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In 2024, L.L.Bean donated over $6.8 million to outdoor and community-enriching organizations focused on increasing access to and inclusivity in the outdoors. L.L.Bean operates 63 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan and 14 stores in Canada, in partnership with Jaytex Group. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.