Add the warm water, honey, and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Combine together and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Add the flour, butter, and salt. Using a dough hook, knead the mixture for 5-6 minutes, or until it's all combined and pulls cleanly away from the bowl. Start off on low speed and gradually increase to medium speed.
Add the dough ball to a greased bowl and cover with saran wrap. Let rise for 1-2 hours.
Preheat oven to 450° F.
Combine the water and baking soda in a large pot and bring to a boil.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut your dough ball into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a round ball.
Once the water is boiling, place the 4 balls into the pot. Let them boil for 60 seconds, flip them, and boil them for an additional 60 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough balls out of the pot and place them on the parchment paper
Beat the egg yolk with 1 tsp of water. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the top of the pretzel buns with the egg wash. Top them with kosher salt and sesame seeds.
Bake for 17-19 minutes.
Beer Cheese Soup
Peel and dice the onion. It doesn't have to be perfect, they will be blended into the soup in a later step!
In a large pot or dutch oven, over low/medium heat, add the butter and onions. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the beer. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, dijon mustard, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Combine.
Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and leave it at a simmer for 10 minutes.
Turn off the burner and add the cheddar cheese.
Honey Mustard Sauce
Combine all ingredients.
Making the Hamburgers
Combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Form into patties.
Cook on the grill, in a cast iron, in a grill pan, or in a fry pan according to your desired doneness!
While the patty is hot, add the slice of cheddar cheese on top. Let them rest on a plate for 1-2 minutes.
Cut the pretzel bun in half and lightly toast them on the grill or in the pan you were cooking your hamburgers in. It should only take about 1-2 minutes.
Spread the honey mustard on the top and bottom bun. Add the patty to the bun
Serve with the beer cheese soup on the side!
Notes
If you have leftover soup or you're making it in advance, make sure to add a little bit of water when you're reheating it to smooth it out again!