Earlier this month, the Sagrada Familia basilica in Spain completed their structural work. There’s some internal decoration still needed as well as a staircase entrance on one side, but they’ve been building it for 144 years, so we’ll take it! They had a special service to dedicate it and lit up the top for the first time—and when I tell you I got emotional when I saw the photo…

It’s not because of how beautiful it is—though, friends, the light inside is transcendent—but because of how much work, how much collaboration has gone into building this glorious space. Five generations of artisans and laborers, of politics and wars and wonder. It’s not just Antoni Gaudi’s work—it’s his genius vision, but it took thousands of people working together to create. That photo and the history of the building, plus the soaring height of the tallest tower, it gives me a sense of immense gratitude that feels like vertigo.

Is that too much? Doesn’t matter, my point is that we’re in this life together, over many more generations than the Sagrada Familia. We build things all the time and it’s always together, no matter how alone or bootstrap-y we feel. I’m spotlighting the Sagrada game below as a pale imitation of the real thing, and as a reminder that even playing a game with friends involves the designer and illustrator, the publisher, the playtesters, even all the people who have played it before us. I wonder how you’re actively collaborating with the people around you to build something?

Alice C., board game librarian

Play Sagrada!

In honor of the highest structural point of the Sagrada Familia being completed this June, we suggest you play a much easier version, Sagrada. Here, players are drafting dice to fill their windows, matching colors and numbers on the card and building patterns for scoring big. It may not be as transcendent as the Sagrada Familia itself, but the colors are vibrant and fun and the game plays fairly quickly. Come by and play it over a glass of Lime Lager!

Try Brink’s Garcia Lime Lager on tap!

It’s a clean, light, refreshing lager with the sharpness of lime from our lovely neighbors down the street at Brink Brewing. Pairs well with our quesadilla or loaded nachos (and coming soon, our loaded tots!). Bring a couple friends and play Sagrada with a lime lager!