Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl (or kitchen aid mixer bowl), add warm water, sugar and yeast. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes or until it foams up. Stir in salt and butter.

Add flour 1 cup at a time until a dough forms and is no longer sticky. Knead the bread dough with bread hook, in your mixer, or by hand for about 3-5 minutes. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Separate dough into 12 sections. Roll dough into ropes about 15-20 inches long and 1 inch thick. Then form rope into a circle and twist the top ends together. Then bring the twisted ends down the center of the circle and pinch together with the bottom to form the pretzels.

In a large pot, bring about 8 cups water + 1/3 cup baking soda to a boil. Once water is boiling, place a piece of dough into the water for about 20 seconds. Remove immediately with slotted spoon and place onto baking sheet. Sprinkle salt on top. Repeat until all pretzels have been boiled.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. You can turn the oven to broil for the last minute to brown the tops if desired. Remove pretzels to a cooling rack and brush tops with additional melted butter.