So, I’m not a big beer drinker. In fact, I’m not a big alcohol drinker. Mostly because I would rather be spending alcohol money on other things. Like Boots. Or Books. Or Coffee. Or Concerts.

But, a few weeks ago, the Dolphins played the Patriots and my stance on beer changed. I was pumped for fall and football and decided to order a pumpkin beer. All they had on tap was Shipyard so I took it. It. was. delicious! I was hooked. My love for it grew exponentially when in the 4th quarter, after Welker ran 99 frickin’ yards, Shipyard helped numb the pain of another dolphins loss (yes…I’m a dolphins fan. I love the patriots but the dolphins are my team). I felt like that beer and I bonded.

So when I found this recipe for Pumpkin Beer pretzels, I knew I had to make it. After all, if I’m buying beer for a recipe, it’s not technically as much of a waste of money. It is an ingredient in a recipe, not just money I’m pissing away! I was so excited.

Only after I bought my 6 pack (ok, I only needed one for my recipe but I’m sure its more cost efficient to buy 6…) and drank two bottles (I was taste testing to make sure it was ok for the pretzels!) did I stop and think…Beer is vegan right? Shipyard Pumpkinhead is vegan, right?? Right?!

Nope. It is not. Little known fact- some beers are made with a process known as Isinglass. Basically, its rehydrated fish bladder used in some beers to help clarify the beer. And Shipyard uses it. Does Budweiser? nope. Sam Adams? no way. ‘Gansette? safe. But my precious Shipyard? Not Vegan.

So, you go ahead and make these with your favorite pumpkin beer (and trust me… you are going to want to have these handy for Friday). I’m going to be in a corner somewhere crying because the only beer I like has animal products in it and I can’t in good conscience keep drinking it.

Pumpkin Beer Pretzels

via We Are Not Martha

• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/2 t)
• 1/2 cup of warm water, plus 2 cups warm water
• 1/2 T sugar
• 1/2 t fine sea salt
• 1 t olive oil
• 1 cup pumpkin beer of your choice
• 3-4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 t baking soda
• 2-3 T coarse salt
• 1 T butter substitute ( I used earth balance)

1) In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over your 1/2 cup warm water. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
2) Stir in sugar, salt, and olive oil. Pour in the beer. It will get all kinds of frothy as it reacts with the yeast already in the bowl.

3) With a wooden spoon, stir the flour in one cup at a time. You don’t want your dough to be too sticky, but you don’t want it to be too dry either. I started by adding 3 cups of flour (you can always add more in as you knead it).

4) Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 minutes. Or you can throw it in your mixer with the dough hook for about 3 minutes. If it starts getting too sticky, add more flour. Once you’re done kneading, place your dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Place bowl in a warm spot, cover with a kitchen towel, and let sit for about an hour to rise.

5) Punch the dough down and you’re ready to form the pretzels! Start by dividing the dough into 12 balls, so you can make sure your pretzels will all be relatively the same size.

6) Take one dough ball and roll it into a rope. Shape the rope into a pretzel by forming into a “u” and crossing one end down, followed by the other end.

7) Mix your remaining 2 C warm water with 1 t baking soda in a baking pan or other shallow dish. Dip the formed pretzels in. And then place on a greased baking sheet. Continue with remaining dough balls. Cover with a kitchen towel again and let rise for another 20 minutes.
8 ) Brush each pretzel lightly with warm water (this was originally egg wash but water works just fine). Sprinkle with kosher salt. And bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes.

9) Right when they come out of the oven, brush them with a little melted earth balance.

Also, I know you are thinking “another carb? does this vegan diet she’s on have vegetables”?? Of course it does! But I’m just roping you in with pretty carbs before I start jamming brussel sprouts down your throat (you’ll love them! trust me!)