Fried Sweet Onion Rings

• Whisk together 1 cup beer, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until almost smooth. Strain through a strainer and let rest, covered, at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. Check the consistency, it should be as thick as a slightly thick pancake batter; if it is not, add more beer. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a soup plate or plastic bag.
• Heat 3 inches of oil to a temperature of 365° to 375°F in a deep fryer or heavy saucepan. Separate the onions into rings; there will be about 4 cups. Dip the onion rings, one at a time, in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Then dip them in the batter. Fry them, several at a time, until golden. Remove to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt and keep warm until all onion rings have been fried.