Hello Mike,

There are a number of things you can do to deal with slugs.  Baiting them with beer is one approach, but as you mentioned it can get expensive!  However, you can make your own solution with water, yeast and a bit of sugar, because it is the yeasty aroma they are attracted to and yeast is quite inexpensive as you don't need very much.

You can create a barrier around your plants, using crushed eggs shells, or grit.  As they move across this material, it cuts into their flesh and they die. 

You can go hunting!  They are active at night, so bring a flashlight and hand pick off any that you encounter.  A slimy job for sure!  

Eliminate places for them to hide, like logs, straw, etc.  

Here is an article that gives you an overview on slugs and a few more suggestions. 

https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/slugs-snails.html#google_vignette

All the best, 

Kathleen