Add the warm water, brown sugar, and yeast to a mixing bowl with the mixer fitted with a paddle. Mix to combine. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. The mixture will begin to bubble.
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix on low for 5 minutes.
Add the dough to the oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Allow the dough to rise for an hour or until it has doubled in size.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the 1/4 baking soda and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let dissolve.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Dive the dough into 12 equal sized pieces. Roll a piece of dough into a 12" log and twist into a classic pretzel shape. Make sure not to make the pretzels too big as they will fall apart while boiling.
Add the pretzel to the boiling water. It will sink to the bottom and then float to the top. When it floats remove it from the pot and place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining pretzels, only boiling one pretzel at a time.
Brush the pretzels with melted butter. Sprinkle on the kosher salt.
Allow the pretzels to bake for 30 minutes, or until they're golden brown.