In the bowl of your electric stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the water, honey and yeast and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

Add in the flour, salt, and butter, then mix with the dough hook until thoroughly combined. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.

Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Form each piece in a roll, pinching the ends of the dough on the bottom side so it rounds out.

Place the dough balls on the baking sheets. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

I like to make the beer cheese now so it’s ready to go. Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once sizzling, whisk in the flour and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and fragrant and bubbly to create a roux. Stir in the beer, whisking well to combine.

Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese in small handfuls, stirring until totally melted and smooth.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Have a large (I like a 12-inch) cast iron or oven-safe skillet ready to use.

In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a low boil. Add the baking soda and lower the heat to a simmer. Put the pretzel rolls into the water - I like to use a slotted spoon for this. Boil for 30 seconds then carefully turn the pretzels over in the liquid. Repeat for another 30 seconds then remove with a slotted spoon to the prepared sheet pans. Repeat with all the dough.

With a pastry brush, brush each roll of pretzel with the lightly beaten egg, making sure to coat all sides completely. Use a very sharp knife to slice an “x” in the center of each roll, not deflating the dough. Sprinkle with the flaked salt.

Place the pretzel rolls in a ring around the edge of the cast iron skillet. Don’t crowd the pretzels, but fit as many as you can comfortably. Pour the beer cheese in the center of the rolls. Place any additional rolls on a baking sheet to bake separately - these are still used for dipping!