We have a similar tradition here on the east coast. One could wander into Steve Willis' shop (The Bike Stand) on any given Friday evening and witness this. Steve is known to have a bottle or two of home made spirits on hand that is properly corked and a rear treat to the tongue. I guess we will have to save a few corks from now on. If the tradition started in Steve's shop I would think that beer bottle caps would have been the charm of choice.
Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ