This crossword No. 21663 clues and answers were published on Fri 13 Aug 1999 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21663 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Befuddled by measure of strong drink, almost spotted the trumpeter : DIZZYGILLESPIE
8-across – River god adopting extreme position : POLAR
9-across – Supply inhabitants with two drugs, digesting the Letters of Paul … : POPULATE
11-across – … where one was sent to the lost sheep of America : EPHESUS
12-across – Break down and put it to death, beheaded : ITEMISE
13-across – Twins dropping note to one or more spirits : GENII
15-across – Yellow aromatic plant received by former monarch’s co-ordinator : ORGANISER
17-across – Ladies one interrupted hurry back to the childminder : NURSEMAID
20-across – He prophesied the Cockney Creator : MICAH
21-across – Chained runaway insectivore : ECHIDNA
23-across – Shed isn’t as bright as Vlad : IMPALER
25-across – Desert, boundless desert, devoured by devouring goddess : KALAHARI
26-across – Ructions as head gilder separates silver from gold backing : AGGRO
27-across – The average porter is a model of excellence : STANDARDBEARER
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Solved Plodge, suppressing quiet rage, but only half of Gemini? : DOPPELGANGER
2-down – Nul points in the Brazil-Chile match : ZILCH
3-down – County Kerry is getting Home Office worried : YORKSHIRE
4-down – Child regarding what makes a painting stand out : IMPASTO
5-down – Bird has triumph on stage with Top Gun : LAPWING
6-down – Swimmer concealing verse in crack : SOLVE
7-down – Native in charge after being canned without resistance : INTRINSIC
10-down – Surprise attack on aristocrat in pub : PEARLHARBOUR
14-down – Girl hides the way to 3’s location : NORTHEAST
16-down – Forged metal pane or plaque with handle : NAMEPLATE
18-down – State taking wing by degrees : ALABAMA
19-down – Challenged about compiler being greatly elevated : DEIFIED
22-down – Opened and closed without a winner : DRAWN
24-down – It shoots down toboggan runs : LUGER
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.