Cryptic crossword No 161

Thank you for that, Coot. Quite up to your usual standard, and with some really fine ones - 1a, 17a, 16d and 23d (with its hilarious image) were particular favourites. It took me ages to see how 16d worked, but having done that, realised how clever it was. I'm not entirely comfortable with the definition in 8d. I think "Beer, perhaps..." may have been an opportunity missed. And would I be correct in thinking that 25a was the last word in to finish the grid? But that's being hypercritical.

Great puzzle, challenging (took me 5 visits before getting there) but fair. Loads of great clues and surfaces. I share Gollum's reservations about def in 8d, and I think 28a doesn't quite work - to me the wordplay indicates A EX M. In 7d, I think the Crossword Police might declare an indirect anagram (that's = ie)