Re:
A How-To I've seen about shortening brake hose manages to do it without bleeding afterwards. Think it's better with brakes that use mineral oil like Shimano and Magura etc as the oil is thicker, less prone to pishing everywhere. You start by taking out pads then pump out the pistons as far as they'll safely go, spacer helps here, then remove hose from lever. Shorten it as required, but keep the end facing up and above level of caliper, you don't want any leakage of fluid, then fit it back on to lever, open lever reservoir before pushing the pistons all the way back in and the air that will have gotten into end of cut hose/lever connection, will be pushed into lever reservoir through master cylinder.
I've done this once and found that it actually works.