Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper is by Joe DiPietro. I’ve seen his name on lots of puzzles, but never on a Stumper. It’s a good one, with a markedly boozy feel:

1-D, five letters, “Owner of Stroh’s and Schlitz.”

30-D, four letters, “What late-added hops help make IPAs.”

33-D, nine letters, “Spiker’s temptation.”

61-A, five letters, “Shot starter.”

No wonder: Joe DiPietro owns a Manhattan bar named one star. It has an amusing website. Consider the menu.

The highlight of this puzzle: its midsection, with three stepped thirteen-letter answers. The toughest spot in the puzzle for me: seeing the answer for 5-A, four letters, “I’d like to sink my claws into them!” When I figured that out, the two answers that remained fell into place.

Some clue-and-answer pairs of note:

5-D, four letters, “It may be rubber-stamped.” Pretty fiendish.

12-D, three letters, “Center of gravity.” I almost saw through it at first glance.

14-A, four letters, “First-issue follower.” Clever.

18-A, ten letters, “Phys-ed game where only the goalie stands.” Never heard of it.

20-A, twelve letters, “Much too early or much too late.” Never heard of it either, but now having heard of it, I like it.

32-A, thirteen letters, “Share goodwill.” The beginning of the staircase.

34-D, three letters, “Ball’s rookie.” A nice example of how the most modest answer can be made Stumpery.

37-A, thirteen letters, “Manual-powered vessel.” The middle step. In case you had any doubt, the puzzle is a Saturday Stumper.

38-A, thirteen letters, “Shorts may be viewed in it.” YouTube doesn’t fit.

45-A, five letters, “Tributary source.” I think this answer needs to fade away from crosswords.

47-D, five letters, “It looks like it could kick.” Got it.

57-A, four letters, “She’s into gangsta rap.” Got it.

My favorite in this puzzle: 37-A.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.