There are plenty of interpretations but tonight NSW will learn which pub burger is the state’s best.

Ten of the best combinations of meat, salad and bun have been named finalists at the AHA NSW pub awards.

The Daily Telegraph sent out a team of reviewers to taste the state’s best.

We rated the finalists in five categories: presentation, flavour, burger-bun ratio, structural integrity and freshness. But the race for burger glory is a close one.

Camden Valley Inn’s Certified Dry Aged Beef Burger edged out the competition with a score of 41 out of 50.

Reviewer David Campbell said the unconventional burger with chipotle mayonnaise delivered “an enjoyable, if slightly messy, experience”.

Reviewer Stacy Farrar marked the Balmain Hotel’s “small but perfectly formed” Balmain Burger 40 out of 50, saying the quality of the meat was obvious.

Also scoring high on the scale, according to the Telegraph’s Laura Banks, was the Double Beef Burger at ­Milperra’s Mill Hotel.

The 260g double wagyu-pattie burger with a snack-size cheeseburger on top is “packed with flavour” and rated 38/50.

The Mill had plenty of competition for the 38/50 rating, with Balmain’s Riverview Hotel, Alexandria’s Parkview Hotel and Neutral Bay’s The Oaks drawing the same score.

The Parkview’s Wagyu beef Burger, packed with beetroot, cheese, bacon and tomato, was “the quintessential Aussie pub burger”, according to Miles Godfrey, with the brioche bun ensuring a light finish and just a hint of sweetness.

Reviewer Leigh van den Broeke said it was the added bacon rasher that won his heart with the Classic Cheeseburger at The Oaks.

The AHA NSW’s best burger will be announced at the annual awards being held at The Star tonight.

So, what are our favourites...?

Blues Point Hotel Beef Burger 35 ($17.50)

“The first impression of a burger is often the most important.

Unfortunately mine was accompanied by a large piece of plastic. As a result, it lost a few points for freshness and presentation.

The Beef Burger at the Blues Point Hotel came with a mouthwateringly juicy beef patty, but it got swallowed by a large bun, and at times tasted a tad dry as a result.

A bit more salad on the burger would have been nice, but it did pack a tangy punch with a smattering of barbecue mayonnaise, zesty chipotle and sweet gherkins, which helped to highlight the tender homemade beef patty.”

Reviewer Robbie Patterson

Camden Valley Inn CVI Burger 41 ($20)

“Camden Valley Inn is a traditional country pub offering a distinctly untraditional burger with an interesting pallet of flavours.

The spicy chipotle mayo doesn’t pack the punch you’d expect from its title but blends well with the burger’s other elements to deliver an enjoyable, if not slightly messy, experience.”

Reviewer David Campbell

Collaroy Hotel wagyu Burger 37.5 ($19)

“The Wagu Beef suffered the most common burger problem — the patty was dry. Although the beef wasn’t overly flavoursome, the pastrami, “burger sauce”, pickles, tomato and cheddar were well-balanced.

Despite the plethora of toppings, the burger maintained its structure.

The delicious waffle fries that it came with were the highlight.”

Reviewer Sally Rawsthorne

The Balmain The Balmain Burger 40 ($18.50)

“Not the biggest burger on the block, this Inner Western delight is small but perfectly formed - much like the beautiful types that frequent this hip suburban watering hole.

The wagyu patty is on the rare side of medium rare, a serve of bacon is smoky and crisp and the quality of the meat is obvious.

Crunchy pickles, super fresh salad veggies and a surprisingly sweet beetroot relish all adds up to a winner.

If you are anti-bread a bunless “naked” version is also on the menu for an extra dollar.”

Reviewer Stacy Farrar

The Clock Brisket Burger 37 ($18)

“The ‘BBQ Brisket Burger’ from Clock Hotel in Surry Hills delivers a punch of mustard spice, balancing itself out with a highlight of pulled beef.

While it’s not an original concept, the glazed brown bun of this burger is as voluptuous as lunch can get.”

Reviewer Xavier Eales

The Lucky Hotel, Newcastle Brisket Burger 34 ($18)

“In a nutshell, this what what I would call... underwhelming.

It was like a roast beef and gravy roll rather than a burger. Not my idea of a burger.

And it was about the measliest burger I’ve had for the $18 price.

It was all gone in like six bites.”

Reviewer Neil Keene

The Mill Hotel, Milperra Double Beef Burger 38 ($19)

“Taking on the Double Beef Burger — not just TWO Wagyu beef patties with 260g of meat but an additional snack-size cheeseburger swaddled on top — was always going to be mammoth task but, gosh darn it, it was a delicious one.

Packed with all the good stuff (beef plus lettuce, tomato, beetroot, tasty cheese, pineapple, crispy bacon, caramelised onion and homemade BBQ sauce), each bite, once you got your mouth around it, was packed with flavour and it was definitely not lacking on fillings.

The ultimate burger challenge was an exceptionally tasty one.”

Reviewer Laura Banks

The Oaks, Neutral Bay The Classic Cheese Burger 38 ($24)

“The Classic Cheeseburger at The Oaks in Neutral Bay offers an oozing slice of cheese.

And, good for me, this comes on top of a hearty beef patty.

But a rash of bacon gives this old favourite some extra zing.”

Reviewer Leigh van den Broeke

The Parkview Hotel, Alexandria PVH Wagyu beef Burger 38 ($18)

“The PVH Wagyu beef Burger is the quintessential Aussie pub burger, packed with beetroot, cheese, bacon, tomato and a succulent chargrilled wagyu pattie.

Thick-cut chips on the side are excellent and the brioche bun ensures a light finish, with just a hint of sweetness. Marks off for slightly wilted lettuce.”

Reviewer Miles Godfrey

Riverview Hotel, Balmain Wagyu Burger 38 ($20)

“This burger was easy on the eyes to begin with and did not disappoint. I love a good burger, but hate the mess, so I was charmed by how well this stayed together.

It made eating it an absolute breeze and pleasure - a high-class effort on an old favourite. Reviewer Jessica Rapana