I hardly count as an old hand (approx 150 hours tailwheel out of 310 total) but am definitely a member of the "have groundlooped" club. I know several very experienced tailwheel pilots, instructors included, who are also in that club.
Re the crosswind, as you know, the brakes on tailwheelers are far more for steering with than for stopping, and, as you found, may be needed whilst dancing in a crosswind (especially on a hard runway). The aircraft shouldn't tip up if you are judicious with the brakes. You might try a small application of power in order to push some air past the rudder.
The effects of groundlooping obviously vary according to speed and type. I laughingly refer to my groundloops as gentle pirouettes, and luckily they did not damage the aircraft.