Question: What is it that slugs/snails love about beer? [View all]

They were wreaking havoc on my new winter vegies. I have a dog, as do most of my visitors, so am reluctant to use snail bait no matter how well secured it is.

Yesterday I put out three greased containers with a small bottle of beer shared among them and have a large haul of mainly slugs this morning. The beer cost $4!

I have ingredients for baking; it would be far cheaper to use my own yeast, sugar, etc if that's what the snails love. Any advice?