Tasters enjoy mezcal to raise funds for Alzheimer's research

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Generous folks in the Valley found a way to fight one of California's biggest killers Saturday while sipping some smooth liquor.

The Alzheimer's Association hosted a mezcal tasting at Fulton 55 with our own Graciela Moreno as the emcee.

Donors got to learn about and drink the agave alcohol that's similar to tequila. In fact, tequila is one kind of mezcal.

The bartenders served up delicious drinks that serve a purpose: funding research on a debilitating disease with a lot of local victims.

"There's about 21,000 individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and of course that number is significant because less than 50 percent of individuals who have Alzheimer's disease are actually diagnosed," said Stella de la Pena with the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's is the fifth leading cause of death in California.