The Chip Report

Lay's Belgium is launching limited edition Summer flavors!
"Sweet Reggae Salsa" and "Sizzling Fajita" will be around for a limited time only to celebrate the Summer Sun.
The bags are the first I've seen outside of the US to use these cartoon images that Lay's USA has been using for their Summer promotions. It suits these well though, considering these are seasonal.
The flavors sound kind of wack though. "Sizzling Fajita" could literally be any meat or BBQ flavor, and I don't think "Sweet Reggae Salsa" is a real thing. What does that flavor entail? They just sound like flavors made up to sound fun and Summery.
But I could be wrong, and they could be totally new and unique flavors.
If you are visiting Belgium this month, you'll have a TON of flavors to try. But, maybe this will be on your list. I'm not tripping over them, but at least they are trying to have fun with their chips.

Will you be trying these? We'd love to hear what they taste like. Let us know in the comments section below!

Lay's Belgium and Netherlands are both releasing some very creative new bags. The collection is called Lay's Mix. The concept is 2 different flavored chips sharing 1 bag. Belgium is advertising both Bacon flavor and Cheese flavor in one bag and Red Pepper flavor and Sour Cream flavor in one bag... while Netherlands is only promoting Red Pepper + Sour Cream. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if the Netherlands also has the other bag. The range is new so I expect more info in the coming months. But until then, these looks like a GREAT idea. How fun to taste one chip as one flavor, and another chip as another flavor, and a third flavor when you mix the too. You gotta love the interactivity. The flavors are solid too, so I would be surprised to not see these stick around.

So, who's got the Dutch hookup? Send me some, LOL.
What do you think? Would you buy these in the states? What would you wanna see Mixed?

Lay's Belgium has a lot of new releases hitting shelves recently, all of which look DELISH! Here's what's new...
Winter Edition Naturel Oven Stars is a FANTASTIC idea! In celebration of the Winter Holidays, they've released a Natural flavored (This is the same as Original or Ready Salted flavor) Star shaped chip. These are the same as Belgium's current "Naturel Oven" ridged, baked chips; but shaped like festive stars. Here in the states you can buy the regular shaped equivalent under the "Ruffles Original Oven Baked" moniker. The shape adds a little Holiday kitch to it, and that's something I'm a big fan of... but as far as being a bag worth chasing across nations, it may not be worth the hunt for just a shape change.
Belgium has also added a completely new collection to their repertoire... the "Collection Tapas". This is a collection France debuted back in 2013 composed of an "Olive" flavor and a "Pesto" flavor. The Olive flavor had some very favorable reviews online and both of them make perfect sense as potato chip flavors. If the collection is spreading, it would be great to see them hit the states, I can see them being a hit here.
Lastly, Belgium is extending their Oven crackers collection, it started with biscuits and now has reached out to include "Crispy Thins". These are just airy, thin, potato-based crackers flavored as "Emmental Cheese" and "Olive Oil & Herbs". Emmental is just a fancy way of saying Swiss Cheese which is a subtle cheese that probably compliments the cracker well. And Olive Oil and Herbs is pretty straight forward too. They sound yummy, and I assume the collection is selling well because it is expanding. What do you think? Is this beyond the scope of what you expect from Lay's? Or do they sound yummy? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below!

Belgium has crowned a Champion! The battle was over when Tim's "Honey Glazed BBQ Ribs" knocked out "New York Hot Dog" and "Cocktail Andaluz". I still don't understand why Belgium needs "Honey Glazed BBQ Ribs" in a range that already includes "Barbeque", "BBQ Ham", "American BBQ: Deep Ridged", "Super Chips: Barbeque", and "The Oven: Barbecue" baked chips... but whatever. Congratulations Tim!

 

It looks like the 2 finalists in the Maak Je Smaak (Make the Taste) Contest in Belgium are being decided on by a crew of judges. If I translate the page correctly it looks like these flavors will not be available until October 2013. I have no idea why it's going to take so long, but we'll see. Fingers crossed that Belgium has 2 delicious new flavors next Fall.

New line of chips available in Belgium and the Netherlands! These are the Deep Ridged chips that seem to be gaining popularity in a few other countries. In the Netherlands the come in 3 flavors; "Naturel", "American BBQ", and "Sweet Chilli". They are available in only 2 flavors in Belgium; "American BBQ" and "Sweet Chilli". They are available now.

Lay's Belgium has announced the 5 Semi-Finalists in their 2013 Maak Je Smaak: The Battle contest. As you may remember, Lay's Belgium's winner from last year; "Bicky Crisp", a popular local Hamburger, has gone on to join the permanent collection of crisps and a new "Make the Flavor" winner will be selected to take the title.
The 5 flavors up for selection this year are "Honey Glazed BBQ Ribs", "Cocktail Andaluz", "Mexican Chilli and Cheddar", "Cream Cheese Garlic and Herbs", and "New York Hotdog".
So what do you guys think? Are any of these worthy successors to "Bicky Crisp"? And does Belgium even need a "Honey Glazed BBQ Ribs" flavor when they already have "Barbecue"? Or is that one a throw away? What do you think a "New York Hotdog" chip tastes like? Cuz it sounds DELICIOUS.
AND...Most importantly... what on earth is a Cocktail Andaluz?? Is it a drink? I need to know!

I don't know if these are available for purchase or are just up for a vote, so keep your eyes peeled for info. But the winning bag will definitely be available eventually to hunt down.

UPDATE: These were just up for a vote, 2 Finalists will be produced and released in stores in Early October.

 Just found this new image up on Lay's Belgium's website. It's an updated lineup image of their regular chips range. The list of flavors hasn't been updated yet to include the new info, so all the news comes from this one picture... but it's interesting news. Primarily, a new Limited Edition flavor... "PESTO MOZZARELLA"! Mmmm. That sounds SO good! I'm jealous! I want it!
This is not the replacement to "Bicky Crisp", because that contest is still in it's early stages, which makes this a stand-alone Limited Edition. That also means that with another Limited Edition coming soon, there is no guarantee on how long this will be available. I recommend hunting this down ASAP!


This image also offered up some other interesting news; new packaging for the beloved "Bicky Crisp"! As I've mentioned here before, "Bicky Crisp" was the winner of the first Maak Je Smaak contest in 2012. It won by a landslide and became a huge hit. I speculated a few weeks ago, that it would probably join the permanent lineup just because it was so loved... and here we see a new packaging with the Limited Edition banner removed. So it looks like those of us who have yet to try it will still have the chance!


The people of Belgium have a really comprehensive selection of chips available to them now, not only in this range, but from the Sensations line and the Harvest line as well. Luckies!! If you know any of these lucky folks, let me know, I'm gonna ask them to send me some of these little treasures lol!

It's coming....
Lay's Belgium will be starting their Maak Je Smaak (Make the Taste) contest for 2013 beginning on January 14th next year. Citizens of Belgium will be able to submit their flavor choice to become the next Limited Edition release... along with the chance to win fabulous prizes.

Last year's winner was "Bicky Crisp", flavored like a popular Hamburger, the Bicky Burger from Dutch restaurant chain Beckers. But this isn't just any Hamburger... The Bicky Burger is a deep fried patty, made from a combination of chicken, pork and horse meat. The burger is topped with three sauces; yellow Bicky Dressing, Red Bicky Ketchup, and brown Bicky Hot Sauce. Lastly, it's got pickles and deep fried onions, all together on a sesame seed bun. 
The unique taste of the meat and sauce combo has made this burger a phenomenon in Belgium and led to it being the overwhelming winner in the first Maak Je Smaak contest. 
 To contend, any flavors in 2013 will have to be as unique and appealing to Belgians as "Bicky Crisp" was.

Following the lead of the Netherlands in their Maak De Smaak Contest for 2012, Belgium has themed their next contest as "The Battle" and the contest will follow the rounds format; having a submissions round, semi final round, and final round. 
We're about a month away, but I can't wait to see how this will turn out. I'm also interested to see if the "Bicky Crisp" chips will have a life beyond their one year as contest winner... seeing as they are so loved. 
All will be revealed next year!

Here's a fascinating new line of Lay's coming out of the Netherlands... Lay's Harvest. The new line features thick sliced potatoes, seasoned only with dried or roasted seasonings. The aim is for chips with pure and natural tastes. The line begins with two flavors; "Garlic & Sea Salt" which is described as pan-roasted Garlic and a sprinkle of sea salt, and "Green Herbs" which is described as freshly dried herbs. The line has been available exclusively at "Albert Heijn" groceries in the Netherlands since the 12th of this month. This line sounds really unique. I'm not a fan of over-seasoned chips, so this Harvest line is probably YUM!
So, check it out, if you or a friend are trying these in Holland, let us know! Happy Hunting!

Update 1/9/13: This line is also available in Belgium. I'm not sure when these were released in Belgium but both countries are promoting these as new, so they probably became available around the same time. The same flavors are available. Now there is one more country you can find these in! Yay!

If you're in Belgium, you're in luck!  Belgium will be adding "Caramelized Onion & Balsamic" to their Sensations line. It's a bomb flavor in the UK and should be just as delicious in Belgium!
Here's the current line up in case you weren't familiar. Glad to see them expanding the line!