LA GRANDE — Hoppy and earthy with tropical notes of passionfruit, citrus rind, and mixed berries — Side A Brewing’s newest creation is balanced and goes down smooth and attendees at the Seattle Fresh Hop Festival agreed.

Around 20 breweries hauled more than 30 beers to Seattle for a weekend celebration of the unique style of beer. Side A brought three beers to the festival — its Oregon Fog Hazy India Pale Ale, Old Trav Altbier and the brand-new Fresh Hop India Pale Ale. Festival-goers voted for their favorite beer as they tasted their way through the wide variety of brews. The choice was clear — Side A’s Fresh Hop IPA was named the people’s choice winner.

“This recognition is nice in the region,” said Scott McConnell, co-owner of Side A Brewery, 1219 Washington Ave., La Grande. “This shows Travis’ growth as a brewer. We’re making some fun, new experimental beer.”

The festival took place Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8.

When it comes to fresh hop beer, the quality of the hops really matters, Side A’s brewer Travis Darney said. The fresh hops impart more grassy and vegetative-tasting notes to the beer in comparison to dried hops.

The fresh hops for Side A’s newest beer came from Crosby Farms in Woodburn. Darney and Trent Bray made the long drive across the state and back to retrieve 100 pounds of the freshly picked crop. The hops were in La Grande and being made into beer within 48 hours of being picked from the vine, Darney said. Only six kegs of the seasonal IPA were brewed.

McConnell said that this was the first notable fresh hop beer produced by Side A. Darney experimented with some fresh hops last year and said it was a learning experience. This year the brew just fell into place, McConnell said.

“It’s affirming that growth is not only open, but necessary,” Darney said. “You take the good with the bad.”