Over the past three decades, Kettle Brand Potato Chips has come out with a whopping 40 inventive flavors — everything from Yogurt & Green Onion to Burgundy with Aged Cheddar to Roasted Red Pepper with Goat Cheese.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Salem, Ore. company has decided to bring back four favorite flavors for a limited time only: Red Chili, Jalapeno Jack, Salsa with Mesquite, and Cheddar Beer.

I had a chance to try samples recently. The Red Chili, introduced in 1982, was ahead of its time with is almost sriracha spicy-tangy flavor. The Jalapeno Jack, devised in 1989, has a creamy note, along with a grassy back note of heat. The Salsa with Mesquite, launched in 1999, actually has the smoky, tomato, lime and garlic flavors of a chunky salsa. And Cheddar Beer, created in 2005, tastes of pungent sharp cheese. Although I didn’t detect the beer as much, this flavor was my hands-down favorite; so much so that I had to keep my husband from inhaling the entire bag so that I could enjoy just a few more of those crisp, substantial, cheesy chips.

The classic flavors come in 5-ounce bags for $2.79 each. They are available in select stores or online at BuyKettleChips.com. The Jalapeno Jack and Red Chili flavors also will be available in 8.5-ounce bags for $3.49 in grocery stores later this fall.

Contest: One lucky Food Gal reader will win 8.5-ounce bags of each of the four classic, limited-edition Kettle Brand Potato Chips. Entries, limited to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST July 28. Winner will be announced July 30.

How to win?

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