Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and brown sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add flour and mix with a dough hook until smooth. (if you do not have a mixer with a dough hook, by hand - gradually add flour and stir until all is incorporated. Knead dough until the mixture is smooth). Let stand 5 minutes. Fill a non-reactive deep sauce pan with water, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda for each cup of water, bring to a boil. Divide dough into 12 even pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (approx. 18 - 24 inches), twist into a pretzel shape, pinch ends to seal. Drop each pretzel into the boiling water for 10 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and arrange on a greased baking sheet. Brush each pretzel with egg wash and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown.

Note - If you are not planning on serving these immediately, bake without the sprinkle of salt on top. When you are ready to serve, warm the pretzels in the oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt.