Warm the milk in a saucepan too approximately 110°F. Pour into medium bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir in the brown sugar and 1 cup of flour with a wooden spoon. Dice the butter and soften. Add butter to the mix, as well as 1¼ cup flour and salt, and mix until the dough is combined.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough with your hands until it is smooth (about 5 minutes). Shape into a bowl and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Grease a large baking sheet and set aside. Punch the dough and turn onto a slightly floured surface. Split the dough into 6 pieces. Roll and stretch the dough into 30-inch ropes. Form each rope into a pretzel shape.
Warm the water and pour into a shallow baking dish. Dissolve the baking soda in the water and gently dip each pretzel into the solution. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until golden; 9 to 11 minutes.
