German Soft Pretzels (Laugenbrezel)

Name: German Soft Pretzels (Laugenbrezel)
Prep time: 2 h 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 2 cups warm water; 2 1/4 ounce packages rapid-rise yeast; 2 tablespoons Barley Malt Syrup; 6 1/2 cups bread flour; 2 tablespoons coarse salt; 1/2 cup 1 stick cold butter, cut into small pieces; 8 cups water; 1/2 cup baking soda; 1/4 cup dark brown sugar; 1/2 cup pale ale beer; Pretzel salt for sprinkling